Dallas oversight board votes to send chief a letter seeking clarity on police role in immigration enforcement

The Community Police Oversight Board voted 11–4 in a special meeting on Friday evening to send a written request to Dallas Police Chief Eddie Como asking him to clarify the Dallas Police Department—s role in operations involving federal immigration authorities and to outline the department—s legal and operational parameters.

Board Chair John Mark Davidson said the letter responds to a terse reply the board previously received and that the board wanted the chief to have time to review the request before he attends the board—s regular meeting on Tuesday. "If it's the board's decision at this time to send a letter to him, we would like to send that letter early next week, Monday morning, to give him adequate time to read the letter at the meeting on Tuesday," Davidson said.

The letter was approved after a motion to discharge the policy committee from further consideration of the draft so the full board could act. The motion to discharge the committee was moved by Tim Jackson and seconded by Dr. Lauren Gilbert Smith. Judge C. Victor Lander moved to send the draft letter; Shonga Higgins seconded that motion. The roll-call vote…