Phoenix City councilmember backs Phoenix PD statement separating local, federal policing

PHOENIX — Valley residents on edge about what to expect from their local policing in the wake of actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers were reassured Tuesday by the Phoenix Police Department that it wants to maintain transparency.

The agency announced in a statement that “trust and transparency” remain its goal for the community and clarified that federal agencies do not represent their operations in any way.

The statement added that Phoenix police do not “enforce federal immigration laws,” do not participate in ICE operations and cannot “interrupt or prevent their operations.”

“Phoenix PD officers do not respond to calls for service or routine enforcement with face coverings and our officers’ uniforms must display visible Phoenix PD identifiers,” the statement said. “If you have concerns about any law enforcement interaction, please reach out to us directly.”

District 6 Phoenix City Councilmember Kevin Robinson, who has 36 years of law enforcement experience, told KTAR News’ Outspoken with Bruce & Gaydos Tuesday that he thinks the statement was “accurate” and reinforces the agency’s policing goal.

“The police department, and not just now, but in years past, has always done a great job of relating to the community, getting out there, working with the community,” Robinson said. “You would be surprised how often crimes are truly solved by the relationship that the police officers have with the community.

“What we’re seeing in other parts of the country, it slaps in the face of the community and law enforcement working together.”

Robinson said actions by ICE agents, whether viewed as committed immaturely or unlawfully, are being blanketed onto local law enforcement.

“We want to make sure that folks know that they can count on their Phoenix Police Department to do the right things, to do it for the right reasons,” Robinson said. “Each of our officers goes through six months of training. A big portion of that is your Fourth Amendment rights. … There is a significant amount of training that goes into preparing our officers to hit the street.”

“We want to make sure that folks know that they can count on their Phoenix Police Department to do the right things, to do it for the right reasons.”

District 6 Phoenix City councilmember Kevin Robinson joined @OutspokenKTAR to discuss the Phoenix PD emphasizing their commitment… pic.twitter.com/NpXttDytZH

— KTAR News 92.3 (@KTAR923) January 24, 2026

The former Phoenix Police Department assistant police chief reacted to some of the recent ICE dealings with protesters and others of interest in Minnesota, saying he “would be fired” if he did anything like that during his service time.

He classified agents pulling people out of cars without probable cause and physically assaulting them, as some video footage shows, as actions worthy of “committing a crime.”

“There’s stronger words I could use, but it is not professional,” Robinson said. “It’s not how real policing, professional policing conducts itself.”

Whether Arizonans are dealing with Phoenix police or federal agents, Robinson emphasized the importance of knowing your constitutional freedoms, and that’s how better, more respectful relationships begin.

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