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Spokane leaders defend acceptance of roughly $1 million DOJ COPS grant amid immigrant privacy concerns
Summary
Spokane City Council defended a Jan. 15 5–2 vote to accept a DOJ COPS hiring grant of about $1 million, saying the award will not change local immigration enforcement and that state law provides protections. Council and city officials pledged listening sessions after community groups and former officials raised concerns about federal grant stipulations and information sharing.
Spokane City Council leaders defended their decision to accept a Department of Justice COPS hiring grant after critics worried the award could compel local police to share immigration information.
Council President Wilkerson said the council voted 5–2 on Jan. 15 to approve the grant, describing it as an investment in public safety and promising continued local control and oversight. "The vote was 5 to 2 to approve the grant and the million dollar funding," Wilkerson said. He read a statement from Spokane Police Chief Hall saying the city’s participation "does not change our immigration policies or our commitment to constitutional community focused policing." The chief’s statement also said the department "fully complies with all federal grant conditions while maintaining local…
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