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Needham police draft immigration protocol; committee confirms discrimination hotline and requests training
Summary
Committee members heard that Chief Schutler presented a draft immigration/ICE protocol to the Select Board and that the town will circulate a final policy; the committee also confirmed a discrimination complaint phone number (781-514-7263) and requested training for volunteers who will monitor incoming messages.
Members heard that Needham Police Chief Schutler presented a draft immigration/ICE protocol to the Select Board and that town counsel has been involved in developing a written policy. Committee members said Chief Schutler indicated the department follows federal requirements and described a recent arrest in which ICE was notified but did not take custody; members agreed to invite the chief to present the finalized policy to the Human Rights Committee once it is released.
A committee discussion summarized Chief Schutler's remark as, "We don't wait for ICE," which was relayed by meeting participants as part of the Select Board presentation; members emphasized the value of having a written protocol and asked the chief to return when the document is finalized.
On procedural matters, Taylor (town staff) confirmed the committee now has a discrimination-complaint phone line: 781-514-7263. Taylor explained the number rings through an app that will transcribe messages and send email notifications to designated committee members; members discussed options for allowing callers to leave messages without calls ringing to volunteers and requested training on using the app, placing calls on Do Not Disturb and handling voicemails. Several members volunteered to be trained before the committee widely publicizes the number and the online form that will accompany it.
Next steps: the committee requested the police chief present the finalized immigration policy at a future meeting, staff will circulate training dates for the complaint line and the committee will finalize a public posting (web link, printed forms) once volunteers are trained.
