MILLCREEK, Utah (ABC4) — After responding to a traffic stop involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) last month, Unified Police released a statement on Feb. 4 saying security footage contradicted ICE agents’ claims about the incident.
Officials with the Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake and the Murray Police Department responded to an ICE traffic stop just after 8 a.m. on Jan. 26, near 4600 S and 900 E.
In a Feb. 4 press release, UPD said the involved ICE agents claimed the detained driver swerved toward the agents with his vehicle while they performed a traffic stop on another person. Murray PD said the ICE agents told them the same thing.
“However, when UPD officers sought clarification on the charges, they were unable to obtain a clear response from ICE agents,” UPD said.
The day after the incident, UPD said it reviewed surveillance footage from a nearby business the day after the incident to verify the claims made by the ICE agents.
“The footage did not show the driver swerving toward the ICE agents. As a result of this review, UPD dismissed the citation issued to the driver,” UPD said Tuesday.
ABC4.com obtained the security footage from UPD from the day of the incident, as well as bodycam footage. A clip of the security footage can be viewed in the video player below:
During the incident, the person involved was placed in handcuffs by Murray PD, but UPD said its officers “recommended the immediate removal of the restraints.” The driver — who “appeared emotional” — mentioned alleged threats made toward him by ICE agents.
“He admitted to yelling and honking at the agents but denied swerving towards them,” UPD said. “ICE agents requested UPD officers to cite the driver, UPD clarified they had not witnessed the incident, the ICE agents would need to sign as complainants and testify in court.”
UPD said two of the three ICE agents involved in the incident declined to provide written statements but suggested issuing a citation to the driver instead of filing charges. UPD cited the driver for failure to yield to an emergency vehicle and released him.
Murray PD remained at the scene while UPD and ICE interacted with the driver. Both Murray PD and UPD responded to the situation as the traffic stop occurred on the border of their jurisdictions.
UPD said it does not enforce immigration laws, but it does respond to requests for assistance for the safety of the public and officers.
“We want to ensure that concerns over immigration status never prevent individuals from seeking help from law enforcement, particularly if they are victims or witnesses of crimes.”
ABC4.com has reached out to ICE for comment and received the following statement on Feb. 5:
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement stresses integrity and ethical behavior, and the vast majority of ICE employees perform their duties with professionalism and honor. ICE takes very seriously all allegations of employee misconduct. Any allegations of misconduct are investigated by the appropriate agencies, and any employee who has committed provable misconduct, will be held accountable. ICE takes swift and appropriate action to investigate and cooperate with outside law enforcement agencies when allegations of criminal conduct by an employee are suspected or alleged. ICE is unable to comment any further.
Statement from ICE spokesperson about Jan. 26 traffic stop
Alejandro Lucero contributed to this report.
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