Cop Assists ICE Agents In Arrest, Holds Off Angry Crowd: Palatine PD

PALATINE, IL — A Palatine police officer assisted federal agents in an arrest Monday morning, while also holding off an angry crowd shouting obscenities at the ICE agents. The Palatine Police Department also acknowledged a video of the incident is circulating online.

According to police, officers responded to the 1100 block of East Dundee Road at around 11:50 a.m. for a report of a disturbance involving three people, who were wearing police insignia, attempting to arrest someone.

Upon arrival, Palatine police said they were able to determine the three were federal agents attempting to take the person into custody. During the incident, a crowd of about 20 people had gathered, with several reportedly shouting obscenities and moving toward the ICE agents.

A Palatine police officer positioned himself between the agents and the crowd "to ensure the safety of everyone involved and to maintain order at the scene," according to a news release regarding the incident. The officer said he saw the agents were continuing to struggle to make the arrest.

Due to the noncompliance of the person being arrested, the agitated crowd and the potential risk of injury, the officer made "a split-second decision" to assist in stabilizing the situation, according to police. The officer provided verbal instructions in Spanish to the person, grasped their right arm, which was already being handcuffed, while agents secured the left arm, "helping to bring the incident to a safe and peaceful resolution."

Palatine police acknowledged that a video of the incident is circulating online. According to police, in the video, three federal agents are seen, two wearing green attire and one wearing blue. Police said the person in blue is not a Palatine police officer and that the officers who responded to the scene were in full uniform, which was "clearly identifiable" by their standard Palatine police patches on both sleeves.

Police also released the following statement:

"The Palatine Police Department remains committed to complying with all state laws, and will continue to focus on building strong relationships with the community. The police department’s priority is to address criminal activity and ensure the safety of all residents. The police department is here to serve and protect all members of our community equally. Residents should feel safe reporting crimes without fear of immigration repercussions. By adhering to these principles, the police department demonstrates our commitment to fair and unbiased policing."