SFPD deputy chief says police can't 'sit by' and watch ICE agents get hurt
Briefly

At a town hall in San Francisco, Deputy Chief Derrick Lew stressed police responsibilities amid protests against federal immigration actions. He clarified that the police are tasked with ensuring safety for both protesters and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Officers may need to intervene to protect against violence from either side, despite the challenging situation created by conflicting political sentiments. Recent events showed police reluctance to intervene, evident when ICE agents engaged protesters without police action, resulting in a protester getting injured.
Deputy Chief Derrick Lew stated, 'Our role is to be a peacekeeper.' He emphasized the need for police intervention to prevent harm to both ICE agents and protesters.
Lew mentioned, 'It doesn't matter what our politics are,' indicating that police must ensure safety despite personal beliefs.
Describing the situation officers face, Lew noted, 'we don't want the community to get hurt,' highlighting the delicate balance police must maintain.
An incident occurred where 'ICE agents rammed a van through a group of protesters,' illustrating the tensions and dangers present in these confrontations.
Read at Mission Local
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