05-12-2008 Minutes (Meeting with Hispanic Leaders)
M INUTES
The Salina-Saline County Law Enforcement Advisory Board and Hispanic leaders of the Salina
community met on May 12, 2008 in the Salina Public Library, Prescott Room. The following is
documentation of the meeting.
Tony Blair welcomed all present on behalf of the Salina-Saline County Law Enforcement
Advisory Board. The purpose of today’s meeting is to foster good relationships between law
enforcement and the community. Self introductions followed. See attached list of attendees.
Salina Police Chief Jim Hill and Saline County Sheriff Glen Kochanowski advised they hoped to
clear up misconceptions and answer law enforcement related questions that the leaders of the
Hispanic community might have. They advised that local law enforcement is not seeking out
illegal Hispanic people in order to return them to their home countries. That’s not their job and
they have enough work without taking on immigration enforcement. Still, they made it clear that
if someone is in this country without documentation and they commit a crime, they will be
reported to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (formerly INS).
Among the points made and rumors addressed were:
● The best way to assist illegal residents is to help them be law abiding members of the
community.
● When an individual is contacted by an officer, they will need to provide a valid form of
photo identification such as a driver’s license or passport. In the case of a traffic stop the
officer will check with immigration if the driver does not have a valid license. There is
no mandatory arrest policy but if a person can not prove their identity they could be
arrested.
● Do not give a false name to the police because this could be setting that person up for
arrest because they will not know to appear in court. If they don’t appear, a warrant will
be issued for their arrest.
● Jail visitors will be asked to show a valid form of photo identification and they will be
checked for outstanding warrants, but not for immigration status.
● Crime victims, such as domestic violence, will be asked their name but the officer will
not be interested in legal status.
● There are a number of officers who speak Spanish and a list of interpreters who can be
called to assist when the officer can not communicate with an individual.
● Any recent increase in deportations is because ICE has become more aggressive, not
because local law enforcement is reporting more people to ICE. Local law enforcement
is not necessarily informed when ICE is in the community looking for people without
documents.
● A national check for warrants is required just before a person is released from jail, so if
the federal computer system is down when someone is due to be released, their release
will be delayed. ICE will be contacted before releasing an illegal immigrant from jail.
● Both Chief Hill and Sheriff Kochanowski emphasized that if someone has problems with
one of their officers and feels like they were mistreated or a case improperly handled,
they must report the problem in order for it to be corrected. To report an issue with a
police officer, contact the Police Department Internal Affairs office at 826-7225 and
speak with Lt. Bill Gerry by phone or in person. To report an issue with a deputy,
contact the Sheriff’s Office at 826-6500. An investigation will follow and the results will
be documented in letter form. A form describing the process is available on the City of
Salina website. Go to www.pd.salina.org, click on How Do I, click on the Citizen
Complaint Process link.
● When a person is arrested, they are allowed a phone call and can call their family from
the booking area if they choose.
● All arrestees are tested for tuberculosis.
● An officer can ask for a social security number if an individual is arrested. It is not
generally necessary for traffic stops. If your driver’s license has your social security
number on it, go to the DMV and change the number.
● There was concern expressed about the easy availability of drugs in the schools. The
police K9 teams randomly search the schools for illegal drugs but law enforcement can
not run random drug tests on students. If parents know who is providing the drugs, please
call either the police department (826-7210) or sheriff’s office (826-6500) or Crime
Stoppers (825-8477). Law enforcement is very interested in addressing this issue with
parents.
● Sheriff Kochanowski advised that his office has a drug test kit available for a $3 fee to
parents who want to test their children for possible alcohol or drug use. Contact the
Sheriff’s Office at 826-6500 to obtain a kit. The Sheriff’s Office can provide a number
of local program options if the results are positive.
● Is it true that the Sheriff’s Office receives money for each of the illegal individuals they
turn over to ICE? The Federal Government pays the Sheriff’s Office a daily fee for
housing arrestees for them, including illegal immigrants. There is no profit in these fees
which cover food and utility costs.
● There is assistance available through the County Attorney’s office for victims of
domestic violence. Attendees were encouraged to assist non-English speaking citizens in
reporting these crimes.
● The biggest problem we face is poor communication. Many issues could be solved if we
can communicate and understand one another. We must treat everyone with dignity and
respect and officers must enforce the law.
● Cultural awareness training is presented to officers as part of their training each year.
The goal of the Citizens Academy is to provide members of the community with an inside look
at the various units of the police department and sheriff's office, to help create a better
understanding and communication between citizens and police through education. A date has
not been selected for the next academy, however if you would like to read further about the
academy or obtain an application go to www.pd.salina.org, click on Citizen Academy, scroll
down and click on application at the bottom of the page. An application also can be obtained
from Undersheriff Dave Dunstan at the Saline County Sheriff’s Office.
Chief Hill advised his direct phone line is 826-7221. If he can answer questions or assist
members of the Hispanic community with issues, please contact him.