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Carlsbad police chief says department does not take part in immigration enforcement; council to post “know your rights” resources
Summary
Police Chief Christy Calderwood told the Carlsbad City Council that the department follows SB 54 and does not participate in federal immigration enforcement. After a lengthy public comment period, the council voted unanimously to add “know your rights” and federal resource information to the city website.
Carlsbad — Police Chief Christy Calderwood told the City Council on Monday that the Carlsbad Police Department does not participate in federal immigration enforcement and operates within the limits of California law, including the California Values Act (SB 54).
At an informational briefing requested by Council Member Teresa Acosta, Senior Assistant City Attorney Jennifer True outlined the legal framework that limits local engagement with federal immigration authorities and noted a model policy from the California attorney general is required by July 1, 2026, with cities expected to adopt a policy or equivalent by Jan. 1, 2027. Chief Calderwood said department policy 4.28 mirrors SB 54 and that officers do not serve or act on ICE administrative warrants, though federal criminal arrest warrants can be enforced when they arise during unrelated investigations.
The presentation aimed to clear up confusion in the community after videos and social media posts showed federal officers near Dove Library. "I can confirm that Carlsbad police officers were not present and did not participate in any enforcement activity with ICE agents on this date or any other," Calderwood said. She described the video as showing officers in civilian clothes beside SUVs and minivans and said she saw no long guns in the footage that circulated.
Community members filled the chamber for public comment. Speakers expressed a wide range of views — many urged stronger local action to protect residents from what they described as overbroad or aggressive federal tactics, while others defended federal enforcement and the role of police. Repeated topics included requests for transparency about automated license plate reader (ALPR) data, whether city facilities are rented to federal agencies, and whether the city can account for the number and cost of federal enforcement actions in Carlsbad.
Chief Calderwood said the department has published training bulletins and updated its policy manual to make clear what officers may and may not do when federal immigration agents are present. She described internal safeguards: supervisors respond when federal agents are on scene, officers focus on public safety (traffic control, first aid, crowd control) and disengage after their state‑law duties are complete, and body‑worn cameras and internal audits document encounters.
Jennifer True summarized state statutes limiting local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, including the Truth Act (notification requirements) and the Immigrant Worker Protection Act (restrictions on employer access without a warrant). "The city and its police department do not have legal authority over federal immigration enforcement activities," True said.
On data governance, Chief Calderwood said the city’s LPR program is overseen by an LPR lieutenant who audits the program monthly, and the professional standards lieutenant conducts a biannual audit. She said the city does not currently rent facilities to ICE or Border Patrol and, under existing law, does not share ALPR data with federal agencies absent legal process.
After the presentation and public comment, Council Member Teresa Acosta moved to add “know your rights” information and federal resource contact details to the city website and to broadly communicate the presentation’s highlights to the public; the motion passed unanimously. City staff said they will post SB 54 information already in the packet and add easily accessible links to state attorney general guidance and federal representative contacts.
The briefing concluded with council members thanking staff for the presentation and stressing that local authority is constrained by state and federal law, while emphasizing the city’s priority to maintain public safety and community trust. Mayor Blackburn said the council expects to receive a report back after planned meetings with federal sector leaders and that the city manager will update council on any follow‑up steps.
What happens next: City staff will post a summarized “know your rights” page and related resources to the city website and return updates to council as federal policy guidance and state model policies are issued.
