Whitefish residents demand transparency, training after Border Patrol detainment

Dozens of residents pressed the Whitefish City Council on June 2 for transparency, training and an apology after a traffic stop that led to a local man's transfer to federal custody and a multi‑day detention by U.S. Border Patrol.

The demands centered on whether the Whitefish Police Department should have called Border Patrol during an otherwise routine traffic stop, whether officers received sufficient training to identify lawful immigration status, and whether the city should limit future contacts with federal immigration agents.

The issue drew sustained testimony from advocates and neighbors who said the episode caused fear and trauma in the community. Leonette Galaz, president of Columbia Falls, said the city should stop working with Border Patrol on routine stops and called for an investigation and an apology. "We demand the city of Whitefish immediately cease contacting or collaborating with border patrol for any interactions that do not involve potential felony level violent crimes," Galaz told the council. "We demand an investigation into the actions of officer Hingis and disciplinary action as appropriate."

Rebecca Miller, an immigration advocate from Kalispell, called for access to training materials and asked the city to stop calling Customs and Border Protection. "I will ask that the city will stop calling CBP," Miller said, noting that a published police report did not show reasons to suspect an immigration violation during the stop.

Speakers who identified as longtime residents and local service providers said the episode has left immigrant community members afraid to travel and to interact with public agencies. Several asked the council to release internal training materials and to require regular implicit‑bias or immigration‑law training for officers.

City officials told the public they have policies and training in place and that many related documents are available through public‑records requests. City Attorney Angie (city attorney) said Whitefish will provide its training records and other nonconfidential materials, but that body‑worn camera footage is "confidential criminal justice information at this point" and cannot be released by the city without a court order. She said a court could conduct an in‑camera review and decide whether footage should be disclosed.

City Administrator Dana (city administrator) told the council that personnel procedures and privacy rights limit what staff can disclose while internal reviews or personnel processes are underway, but said the city has been "taking the concerns very seriously." Dana also noted that the city follows a policy of investigating allegations of biased policing and that any personnel matters require time to investigate.

Council members said they had received large public response and that the city must balance legal limits on disclosure, personnel privacy and public expectation. Several members urged patience while investigations and records requests proceed; others pushed for faster, proactive publication of nonconfidential training materials.

No formal disciplinary action or council vote was taken at the meeting. City officials repeatedly encouraged residents with open records requests or legal counsel representing affected parties to use the court process if they seek release of camera footage.

The council did not change department policy at the meeting, but staff said training materials and written policies are available on request and that supervisors have been reminded to follow city policy on bias and immigration matters. Several community groups said they will continue to press the council for a formal independent review and for regular, publicly accessible training and reporting.

The council scheduled no further public hearing on the matter at the June 2 meeting; speakers and council members indicated additional public inquiries and potential legal requests may follow.