MP Police Department adopts state’s policy on assisting ICE, DHS when requested

The Mt. Pleasant Police Department officially adopted the state of Iowa's written policy on immigration laws after it was approved by the city council on Thursday, Dec. 27.

The policy is Senate File 481, which was signed on April 10, by Gov. Kim Reynolds. It requires local law enforcement to assist with official requested assistance from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Officers in the Mt. Pleasant Police Department will assist or cooperate with immigration enforcement.

Mt. Pleasant police Chief Ron Archer said that the policy isn't anything different from what the department is currently doing, they just had to adopt it formally for the state.

The department had to adopt it to be eligible for state funds, city administrator Brent Schleisman said.

The Mt. Pleasant Police Department's operational needs and overall community safety will be prioritized when determining how to use limited department resources and personnel if assisting ICE or DHS, the policy states.

The department does not operate a holding facility, and if they do receive an immigration detainer request, will direct it to the Henry County Sheriff's Office or another entity with a holding facility.

The policy was reviewed by the city of Mt. Pleasant's legal team, Lynch Dallas, P.C., and recommended for adoption by Archer.

In other news, the council is looking ahead to summer construction projects.

Adopting the written policy comes after the Mt. Pleasant Police Department assisted with the arrest of 32 men by ICE at MPC Enterprises in Mt. Pleasant on May 9.

The council approved amending an engineering service agreement with Warner Engineering for the South Jefferson Street and Central Business District reconstruction projects. Previously, the two projects were separate but the Street Committee and engineer believed the city would get better bids if the projects were combined into one large project.

The project is similar to the reconstruction done on North Jefferson Street and in the Central Business District last year.

The city is applying for a grant from the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (STBG) to reconstruct West Winfield from North Grand Avenue to West Broadway Street. The project would be done in 2023.

The city is applying for another grant for Enhancement Funds (TAP Transportation Alternatives Program) from the state to construct another section of the recreational trail from Baker Street north to Winfield Avenue and Winfield Avenue to Broadway Street.

The next Mt. Pleasant City Council meeting is Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019.