U.S. border czar Thomas Homan said that the White House is backing Rochester police officers after they assisted border patrol agents in a recent incident involving immigrants, in what city leaders said was a violation of department policy.
The incident in question took place Monday evening and involved Border Patrol requesting an emergency response to a traffic stop of a van. Rochester Police Chief David Smith said body-worn camera shows the RPD supervisor on the scene giving specific directions to RPD officers and making sure the Border Patrol agents were the ones to engage with people in the van. However, Smith said the supervisor became distracted and, when out of view of the supervisor, RPD officers removed and handcuffed some of the people in the van.
Smith said that since they are a sanctuary city, the officers violated policy by assisting border patrol in that incident. The Rochester Police Department has opened an internal investigation into the department's role.
Homan said the officers involved in the incident have his full support, along with President Donald Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi, and that "help is coming."
"I stand with the officers of the Rochester, New York Police Department that answered the emergency assistance call from the U.S Border Patrol. The men and women of the Border Patrol have never refused the request for assistance from any law enforcement agency when they are available. That is the way it should be. Law enforcement officers should not be abandoned in the time of need because of politics. Sanctuary policies endanger our police and the public. President Trump and AG Pam Bondi are committed to taking them on and so am I. Help is coming!"
According to the Rochester Police Locust Club, Homan told them during a private conversation that he was coming to Rochester.
Mayor Malik Evans and Smith said they will follow the required protocol in order to provide due process to the officers involved.
According to Smith, about a dozen officers were involved in the incident and they all will receive additional training before they return to duty. All sections of the department will receive additional training as well.
No word yet on when that visit may take place.
Spectrum News 1 has reached out to the White House for more information.
Brian Campbell - Digital Producer
After many years in the newspaper industry, Brian Campbell joined Spectrum News as a digital producer. He graduated from Buffalo State with degrees in journalism and creative writing.
