Related video of UPD response to ICE traffic stop.
MILLCREEK, Utah (ABC4) — Millcreek Mayor Jeff Silvestrini emailed the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) expressing his concerns over what he called “unprofessional and perhaps criminal conduct” from ICE agents.
Silvestrini’s concerns stem from a traffic stop in late January where ICE agents claimed a driver swerved toward the agents in an attempt to sideswipe them. Officers with the Unified Police Department responded and reportedly found the ICE agents’ claims to be unwarranted.
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In his email directed toward ICE representative Jason Knight, Silvestrini requested ICE conduct its own investigation into the traffic stop and consider possible criminal charges for the “demonstrably false” statements agents provided to UPD officers in their investigation.
“ICE sapped resources from both my city and Murray when they summoned ‘expedited assistance’ for an event which appears to have been nothing more than your officers having ‘thin skin’ in the face of a citizen’s exercise of his right to free speech,” wrote Silvestrini. “While such disrespect for law enforcement is regrettable, professional officers shrug off such bad behavior. Doing otherwise, unfortunately, leads to more of the same. Your officers’ conduct appears to reflect either poor training or the kind of unprofessionalism (dare I say thuggery) which gives all police officers a bad reputation.”
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Mayor Silvestrini further alleged that it was telling when two of the three ICE agents declined to sign witness statements.
A spokesperson for ICE told ABC4.com that the department stresses integrity and ethical behavior and that the vast majority of ICE employees perform their duties with “professionalism and honor.”
“ICE takes very seriously all allegations of employee misconduct,” the statement reads. “Any allegations of misconduct are investigated by the appropriate agencies, and any employee who has committed provable misconduct, will be held accountable. ICE takes swift and appropriate action to investigate and cooperate with outside law enforcement agencies when allegations of criminal conduct by an employee are suspected or alleged.”
ICE said it was unable to comment any further.
Silvestrini wrote that he supports the legitimate efforts of ICE agents in locating and deporting undocumented violent criminals and felons within the United States but he draws a line when those efforts “violate the civil rights of American citizens, cause disruption to lawful commerce, or unnecessarily consume resources” in his city.
The Millcreek mayor asked to be kept informed about any ICE review of the traffic stop and if any discipline is imposed against the agents.
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