In a consolidated effort to address immigration concerns and their impact on community safety, leaders of law enforcement from Washington County have unified their stance. The Law Enforcement Council, comprising the county's top police chiefs and the district attorney, issued a statement endorsing equal access to justice for all community members, irrespective of personal aspects such as nationality or citizenship status.
This statement, advocating for nonpartisan law enforcement and reaffirming Oregon's sanctuary law, delineates the separation of local and federal legal responsibilities—local agencies focus on local laws while federal entities handle immigration matters. According to a statement obtained by the local government's news release, "Our county is safer when all witnesses and victims can fully access our justice system to report crime and testify so that we can hold offenders accountable and keep our community safe." The assurance included is clear: anyone facing physical threats is encouraged to reach out to their nearest law enforcement entity.
Among those signing off the statement are authoritative figures such as Chief Stacy Jepson of Beaverton PD, Chief James Coley of Cornelius PD, and Sheriff Caprice Massey of the WC Sheriff’s Office. This collective aims to quell anxieties within the county's diverse population, and to reinforce trust between the community and those sworn to protect it.
Collaboration between local law enforcement and the residents they serve is essential for maintaining Washington County's status as one of Oregon's safest regions. This proclamation, issued under the banner of unity and impartiality, strives to assure all residents that justice transcends borders and statuses within their community.
