During a recent monthly meeting of the Dallas Community Police Oversight Board, members were eager to engage with the city’s new police chief, Daniel Comeaux, on pressing concerns regarding immigration enforcement.
However, board members found themselves abruptly restricted from discussing the topic due to a directive issued by the city attorney’s office.
This unexpected intervention occurred shortly after Chief Comeaux introduced himself to board members, leading to frustration among those present.
As board member Brandon Friedman attempted to ask Comeaux about immigration enforcement and its implications, an assistant city attorney, Daniel Moore, interrupted the discussion.
He emphasized that the meeting agenda only allowed for introductory questions about Comeaux’s background and experience in law enforcement, not for comprehensive discussions on policies affecting immigration.
“The meeting was strictly for an introduction for the chief,” Moore explained. “Getting into specific policies, whether they are federal, state, or local, is beyond the scope of this meeting.”
The response triggered significant discontent among board members, who expressed that the city administration had set them up for an ineffective meeting.
Several members highlighted that they had been looking forward to addressing critical questions, having submitted an extensive list to Comeaux’s office just a day earlier, including inquiries about immigration oversight.
“This is not the meeting that we had anticipated,” remarked board member Ozzie Smith, echoing the sentiments of his colleagues.
Some members even suggested seeking private counsel due to the perceived conflict of interest rooted in working with city attorneys on oversight matters.
Changa Higgins, another board member, pointed out that city attorneys were well aware of the oversight agenda prior to the meeting and had been present during previous discussions about the immigration topic.
“You should work with the oversight office,” Higgins asserted to the city attorneys, voicing the sentiment that they were wielding undue authority in preventing important discussions when Comeaux was finally available.
Despite the turmoil, Chief Comeaux and Dominique Artis, the city’s Chief of Public Safety, sat silently through the entire interruption orchestrated by the city attorney, refusing to engage or clarify the situation.
Following the meeting, Chief Comeaux responded to the board members’ allegations regarding the interference by stating he was unfamiliar with the rules governing city meetings.
However, he reiterated his stance on immigration, which he had previously shared with The Dallas Morning News, emphasizing that his officers would assist federal immigration authorities if requested.
The problematic exchange brought to mind Comeaux’s first day as chief, where a similar incident occurred.
During that media interaction, police spokespersons told reporters they could not discuss immigration policy when questions arose, highlighting a concerning pattern of avoidance regarding this controversial issue.
The oversight board has the option to schedule a special meeting to address their concerns — a suggestion that some members floated during the tense gathering.
As of now, it remained unclear whether the board would pursue this course of action.
Dallas officials have faced increasing scrutiny and pressure over immigration policy, especially after comments made by former interim police Chief Michael Igo earlier in the year.
Igo’s statement, claiming that Dallas police would not assist federal agencies in detaining individuals for immigration violations, sparked considerable backlash and led to investigations from the Texas attorney general’s office.
In stark contrast, Chief Comeaux has recently taken a different approach.
In an appearance on Fox News, he pledged to provide assistance to federal agencies when needed, emphasizing his long-standing commitment to crime-fighting and public safety.
His remarks, which included a declaration that individuals promoting violence and gangs should avoid Dallas, were highlighted by Fox News under the banner “SANCTUARY NO MORE.”
Comeaux later clarified that those comments had been taken out of context and emphasized his intention to address threats to the community rather than implying a broad crackdown on immigration.
Attendance at Tuesday’s oversight meeting was notably higher than usual, with around two dozen individuals present to witness the proceedings.
This increased interest came on the heels of a protest outside City Hall, where demonstrators clashed with police as they voiced solidarity with similar protests occurring in Los Angeles.
Police responded with force, arresting at least one individual and using pepper balls to disperse crowds, marking one of the most polarized interactions between Dallas police and community members since 2020.
In a letter sent to Chief Comeaux just days before the meeting, the oversight board requested a more detailed explanation of his stance on federal collaboration, emphasizing the need to maintain safety and wellbeing for Dallas residents in the face of external pressures.
The board expressed a desire for discussions that prioritize community concerns over compliance with federal mandates, making it clear that residents’ peace of mind should guide the police department’s actions moving forward.
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