Pittsburgh police did not step in as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers faced difficulties while trying to detain a suspect outside the police station. This has sparked significant claims that officers were instructed to remain passive during the incident.
Pittsburgh Police Chief Jason Rand stated he was unaware of any directive that would prevent police officers from intervening and has initiated an administrative inquiry into the event.
Rand mentioned a particular incident where ICE officers struggled to detain someone in front of a Zone 3 police station, as reported by KDKA radio. It appears that when ICE attempted to apprehend the suspect, the individual began to struggle and kick the officers.
Colin Dunlap, a radio host, disclosed that a Pittsburgh police officer informed him that they were told to step back during this confrontation. Dunlap noted, “Some have suggested that officers were ordered not to intervene and had to just watch,” adding, “Even though the officers didn’t act in this situation, we’re not aware of any prohibitive orders.”
The struggle unfolded near the Zone 3 station, where ICE had stopped a vehicle at a nearby gas station before attempting to apprehend the suspect.
Rand reiterated that Pittsburgh police do not enforce federal immigration law or participate in ICE operations, clarifying, “Our role has never included immigration enforcement. We don’t cooperate with ICE. We don’t check immigration status when responding to calls, nor do we engage in ’roundups.’
He also pointed out that while officers must respond to emergency help requests— including those from other law enforcement—they are instructed to assist in securing the area before returning to their usual duties.
Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor has stated that the city will continue its policy of not supporting ICE operations, emphasizing this commitment after an incident involving ICE in Minneapolis that he described as a “tragedy.” His goal is for Pittsburgh to remain a welcoming city for immigrants.
As of now, no further comments have been made from the mayor’s office regarding the investigation.
