Fact check: What is LAPD's official policy regarding ICE cooperation and enforcement?

1. Summary of the results

LAPD maintains a clear official policy of non-cooperation with ICE, formalized through several key mechanisms:

• Special Order 40, which explicitly prohibits officers from initiating contact with individuals solely to determine immigration status ^[1]
• The California Values Act (SB 54), which legally prevents local law enforcement from assisting federal immigration enforcement activities ^[2]
• Chief of Detectives Notice 1.8 (October 12, 2018), requiring immediate release of individuals without criminal warrants ^[3]

This policy was recently reaffirmed by LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell on June 7, 2025, who explicitly stated "We can't participate in any way in civil immigration enforcement" ^{[4] [2]}. The department's commitment is demonstrated by their response to ICE detainer requests - in 2022, they received 783 requests and honored none of them ^[5].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several important nuances exist in this policy:

• While the department doesn't participate in immigration enforcement, they do support federal authorities' right to conduct raids and may provide crowd control during such operations ^[6]
• An exception exists for investigating serious offenses, suggesting some limited potential for cooperation ^[1]
• There are tensions within law enforcement leadership, with Sheriff Robert Luna indicating deputies might support federal agents if they are attacked ^[7]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The question of LAPD's policy is more complex than a simple statement of non-cooperation:

• Activist groups argue that despite official statements, information sharing with federal agencies may still occur through fusion centers and other collaborative mechanisms ^[1]
• The department frames this policy as primarily about building trust with immigrant communities and maintaining public safety ^[5], suggesting potential benefits for both the department (improved community relations) and immigrant communities (reduced fear of police interaction)
• The policy exists within a broader context of sanctuary city status and state-level legislation ^[4], indicating this is not just a departmental decision but part of a larger political framework