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County staff say bill would force local agencies into ICE-like role; sheriff cites training, staffing, liability concerns
Summary
County staff summarized Sheriff Easter—s objections to Senate Bill 178, saying the measure would effectively require local police and sheriff's deputies to perform immigration-enforcement tasks without federal training, sufficient staffing, or liability protections. The sheriff's association will pursue revisions at the committee level.
County staff told the commission that Sheriff Easter and other law-enforcement leaders have concerns with Senate Bill 178, which staff described as written in a way that would obligate local law enforcement to take on duties similar to those performed by federal immigration agents.
"Their officers are not trained for that kind of duty. It is complex," a county manager said summarizing discussions with Sheriff Easter and other law-enforcement officials. The manager listed three principal concerns: insufficient training, inadequate staffing and vehicles to hold and transport detainees (transport likely out of state), and exposure to liability because local agencies would not receive the same immunity federal agents obtain during processing.
Staff noted the bill as written contains potential sanctions for noncompliance that could affect local funding. The sheriff plans to testify before the legislature on behalf of the state sheriff's association and to press for changes that provide training, funding or immunity to reconcile the concerns.
No formal commission action was taken; staff said the sheriff's testimony would be led by the sheriff's association and that the commission may be asked to engage if the bill advances.
