For over 50 years, the City of Berkeley has remained a Sanctuary City, and the BPD is proud to be a part of that legacy.
Amidst growing concerns about mass deportations and threats to rescind long-standing federal policies, the Berkeley Police Department (BPD) would like to acknowledge our community’s concerns and reaffirm our commitment to providing public safety in alignment with Berkeley’s values and policies. For over 50 years, the City of Berkeley has remained a Sanctuary City, and the BPD is proud to be a part of that legacy. Earlier this week, Berkeley City Council voted to reaffirm our Sanctuary City status, voicing that our community believes in protecting all of our residents and letting them know they are safe, regardless of their immigration status.
At BPD, we know that to fulfill our commitment, we must have a foundation of community trust. True community trust can never exist without the ability for everyone in our community to feel safe in our homes, neighborhoods, schools, businesses, and places of worship without threat of harassment or deportation.
When interacting with the BPD, we want our community to know that officers follow California law and City and departmental policies that support the California Values Act. This act, also called SB 54, was passed in 2017 and prevents state and local law enforcement agencies from using their resources on behalf of federal immigration enforcement agencies. Pursuant to this state law (Govt Code 7284.6), BPD personnel will never ask about citizenship status and will not assist with a Department of Homeland Security investigation related to federal immigration law unless it is required by federal law.
The Department’s commitment helps to ensure we are protecting and serving our community while recognizing the dignity of all individuals, regardless of their national origin or immigration status. By remaining steadfast in our values, we hope to continue building the public’s trust and creating a better environment for everyone in our community.