Elgin police chief steps up in immigration issue, sort of
Illegal immigration makes it more difficult for police officers in not only Elgin - but across the country - to do their jobs.
That will be one point coming Thursday from a teleconference sponsored by the Law Enforcement Engagement Initiative and featuring three police chiefs, including Elgin's top cop, Lisa Womack.
"This is not just a border state issue. It's occurring throughout the nation. That's where my involvement comes in," said Womack, who stressed that her participation is "not endorsing any political agenda of any special interest group."
Others speaking at the forum include Sheriff Richard Wiles of El Paso County, Texas, and Chief Sam Granato of the Yakima, Wash. Police Department.
Womack said she was asked to participate based on her participation in two prior forums, one held by the International Association of Chiefs of Police two years ago and another by the Police Executive Research Forum.
On Thursday she will offer her perspective on how illegal immigration has impacted her department, but not necessarily prescribe how the problem should be fixed.
As the illegal immigration debate has continued in Elgin over the years, she has maintained that it is a "federal issue."
Arturo Venegas, the Law Enforcement Engagement Initiative project director and former police chief in Sacramento, Calif., will moderate the forum, which also will be open to questions from the media.
He said he met Womack at a police chief conference an invited her to speak.
"Chief Womack is a leader in her profession, she has experience that goes way back before Elgin," he said. "I believe she has a very important message for the public. We're not asking her to take a position."
Venegas said the forum's intent is to prod federal lawmakers to develop comprehensive immigration reform sooner rather than later.
One example of how illegal immigration makes law enforcement more difficult, he said, is that often illegal immigrants are targeted for crimes because they are afraid to go to the police afterward or are hesitant to report crime in general because of their status.
"We are not out there trying to lobby people for any particular position," he said. "What we've been saying is give us some good, sensible legislation that makes sense for public safety."