PDA

View Full Version : Chapel Hill, NC police refuse to enforce Patriot Act


shanek
3rd July 2003, 07:12 PM
http://indyweek.com/durham/2003-07-02/cover.html

Chapel Hill Police Chief Gregg Jarvies says, "We are not an arm of the federal government." Years ago, when police departments were being asked to enforce immigration laws, he said the stance was the same.

As for local resolutions [prohibiting enforcement of the Patriot Act], Jarvies says they don't affect his department. "Our protocols are pretty clear, and we would not need that type of support to say no. We have an excellent working relationship with federal and state agencies within North Carolina, but we also have a very clear role within those relationships. It's very clear what we will and will not do," he said. "Any investigations pursuant to the Patriot Act would have to be undertaken by the federal agencies, not by the Chapel Hill Police Department."

That's not what the whole of the article is about, and it covers many other instances of civil disobedience of the Patroit Act by citizens, but I thought that an entire police department refusing to play along demanded attention.

Good for them.

John Harrison
5th July 2003, 10:31 AM
Holy crap!! This actually makes me want to visit Chapel Hill more often. :eek:

corplinx
5th July 2003, 03:15 PM
Seems to me like a clear case of state employees following the letter of state law. The law in question that conflicts with that law is the patriot act. I don't smell some kind of anti-ashcroft rebellion here.

Agammamon
8th July 2003, 12:20 PM
Breathe a little deeper. Law enforcement agencies are notorious for bending the rules as far as possible to further their missions, especially if they have the tacit permission of their civilian superiors. These guys are willing to stick to a strict interpretation of state laws (something they could only do if the elected supported them). With the other state/fed conflicts already extant, this is perhaps not such a good time for the DOJ to be pushing this one.

Tmy
8th July 2003, 12:27 PM
Its all about $$$$$$.

The reason they arent doing the INS's job is cause the feds arent paying them to do it. Float the city a $1million grant and they'll start rounding up the foriegners.

ManCow
8th July 2003, 02:05 PM
You wouldn't be surprised if you've ever been to Chapel Hill or UNC.