At its Sept. 15 meeting, the Board of Police Commissioners declined two motions to add new items to the agenda: one to discuss the police commission’s role under the City of Norwalk revised charter and a second seeking an information update on “detailed facts … pertaining to the recent detention and apprehension of 3 criminal illegal aliens by ICE in Norwalk between August 12 through the fifteenth,” as read into the record. The motions did not carry.

The first motion sought a discussion of the commission’s responsibilities “as enumerated under the revised charter of the City of Norwalk Section 7.2(b)(2)(a)”; the second sought to place on the record and receive an informational update about immigration enforcement actions in mid‑August. Mayor Rilling put both proposals to the commission for a vote; neither measure passed.

The outcome matters to residents who said they wished to raise immigration enforcement issues during public participation. During that portion of the meeting, resident John Levin attempted to speak; meeting officials told him the public participation item requires speakers to identify a specific agenda item. Resident Connie Cooper later addressed the commission and said ICE field operations worksheets require agents to document operational plans; the mayor and other commissioners directed her to an immigration meeting scheduled later the same evening at City Hall for a focused forum on immigration topics.

No formal policy change or directive resulted from the failed motions. The commission moved on to its posted business after the votes.

Why this matters: Requests to add unposted agenda items are one route for members of the public and commissioners to place urgent topics before a municipal body. When such motions fail, the subject remains off the posted agenda unless brought back by staff or a later, properly noticed motion.

Meeting context: The votes occurred at the start of the meeting; public participation followed and included two speakers who raised ICE-related concerns. Commissioners present at roll call were Commissioner Frank Collier Clemens, Commissioner Tony Lopez, Commissioner Ron Paladino and Commissioner Nate Sumter with Mayor Rilling presiding.

No follow-up action, study assignment, or referral to staff was recorded on these motions at the meeting.