Brooklyn Park, Minnesota – Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley addressed the media on Tuesday, alleging that a group of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents violated the civil rights of one of his off-duty officers, including knocking a phone out of her hand to prevent her from recording the encounter. His remarks, delivered alongside several other police chiefs, have sparked national attention and widespread concern among viewers.
Police Chiefs Speak Out Against Recent ICE Encounters
Standing before the press, Bruley emphasized that local law enforcement leaders were united in purpose, not politics.
“What you won’t hear from any of us today is rhetoric of ‘abolish ICE’ or that there shouldn’t be immigration enforcement,” Bruley said.
“The truth is, immigration enforcement is necessary for national security and for local security. But how it’s done is extremely important.”
He noted that local departments have historically worked closely and effectively with federal partners, including ICE, and stressed that many federal agents have carried out their duties professionally in the past.
Surge in Complaints From Citizens and Officers
Bruley said that over the past two weeks, police departments across the region have received numerous complaints from U.S. citizens claiming they were stopped without cause and pressured to produce documentation proving their legal status.
According to Bruley, these encounters were not limited to civilians.
“We started hearing from our police officers the same complaints, as they felt victimized by this while off duty,” he said.
“Every one of these individuals is a person of color who has had this happen to them.”
Off-Duty Officer’s Encounter Raises Alarm
Bruley detailed a specific incident involving a female Brooklyn Park police officer who was stopped while driving past ICE agents.
“They boxed her in and demanded her paperwork,” Bruley said, noting that she is a U.S. citizen and would not have immigration documents.
When the officer became alarmed by how she was being treated, she attempted to record the encounter on her phone.
“The phone was knocked out of her hands, preventing her from recording it,” Bruley said.
“The officers had their guns drawn during this interaction.”
Fearing the situation could escalate further, the officer identified herself as a Brooklyn Park police officer in an attempt to de-escalate. According to Bruley, once the ICE agents learned her identity, they immediately left the scene without explanation or apology.
Chiefs Say Incidents Are Not Isolated
Bruley said the incident was not unique and that several police chiefs standing behind him had similar reports involving their off-duty officers.
“This isn’t just important because it happened to off-duty police officers,” he said.
“If it is happening to our officers, it pains me to think how many of our community members are falling victim to this every day.”
He added that trained law enforcement officers understand constitutional rights and can recognize when individuals are being improperly targeted.
Public Reaction and Growing Concern
Bruley’s remarks quickly spread across social media platforms, drawing sharp reactions from viewers who expressed alarm at the allegations. Many commenters voiced concerns about civil liberties, racial profiling, and the potential for dangerous escalation during enforcement actions.
Local officials say the issue has intensified calls for clearer oversight, accountability, and communication standards between federal and local law enforcement agencies.
