In a recent public address, Lynnwood's Police Chief Cole Langdon reached out to the community to reassure residents of the department's unwavering dedication to their safety and the maintenance of dignity for all individuals. With rising tensions over federal immigration policies, Langdon sought to clarify the department's stance on collaboration with federal authorities, especially in relation to immigration enforcement.
With the "Keep Washington Working Act" as an established legal framework since its 2019 enactment, law enforcement in the state has been limited to necessarily not engage directly with enforcing civil federal immigration laws. In his message, Chief Langdon underlined this commitment, explaining that the Lynnwood Police Department will continue to adhere strictly to these regulations. He emphasized that the safety of the community is paramount, and that any resident, regardless of immigration status, should feel secure when it comes to reporting crime by calling 911. This statement was confirmed in a release available on the official Lynnwood city website.
The Lynnwood Police Department's stance is meant to foster trust and cooperation between officers and the community they serve. In his release, Langdon wrote, "The men and women of the Lynnwood Police Department are honored to serve our community, and we remain dedicated to upholding our core values of professionalism, vigilance, and community."
Looking ahead, the police chief stressed the importance of crime prevention strategies and respectful community engagement as key components of the department’s mission. We will continue to comply with the Keep Washington Working Act (RCW 10.93.160), which was passed in 2019 and restricts the involvement of state and local law enforcement in enforcing civil federal immigration law," Langdon stated clearly in his address to the public. He affirms that every member of the police force is committed to actively engage with all facets of the community, upholding standards of respect and non-discrimination.
