Spirit Lake Police Department signed a 287(g) agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Oct. 8, making it the second city law enforcement agency in North Idaho to enter the partnership. Training is underway.
Spirit Lake Police 287(g) Agreement
Chief Michael Morlan said the agreement is not intended to have officers search for undocumented immigrants. “We don’t have the time and energy to do that, looking for undocumented immigrants,” Morlan said.
The agreement gives Spirit Lake police access to databases and allows cooperation with ICE. Under the arrangement, ICE can delegate specific immigration officer functions to state and local officers while retaining direction and oversight.
Task Force Model Selected
Spirit Lake Police selected the Task Force model rather than the Warrant Service Officer model. Morlan said the Task Force model fits the department’s local-enforcement needs.
He said any enforcement action would result from a crime that had already been committed and that the agreement would not alter enforcement of Idaho state law. If an investigation identifies an outstanding federal warrant, Spirit Lake police will contact the Department of Homeland Security.
“We’re just going to do what the Feds require law enforcement to do anyway,” Morlan said.
Post Falls Agreement Influenced Decision
Post Falls Police Department entered the same agreement in July. Its results influenced Spirit Lake’s decision, and Post Falls announced 15 arrests following joint ICE operations in August.
Spirit Lake officers will receive training with strict guidelines governing their activities. Morlan said those limits include requirements identified as A, B, C and D, and that the training may also provide access to additional instruction.