Laurel Police Chief Issues Statement following FOIA Request

LAUREL, Del. – Chief Robert F. Kracyla of the Laurel Police Department (LPD) has issued a statement regarding a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request the department received several weeks ago.

Chief Kracyla says the FOIA request sought any department correspondence containing the word “immigration,” and that the request was reviewed and fulfilled in accordance with Delaware law.

“The LPD does not conduct immigration enforcement and does not have the authority to determine an individual’s immigration status,” the statement read. “Our role is limited to addressing local public safety concerns and, when appropriate, passing information to the proper agency for review.”

One of the emails referenced in the FOIA request was a communication with a federal law enforcement partner. Chief Kracyla says LPD routinely shares information with state and federal agencies when the department “[believes] it may be relevant to their responsibilities.”

“At no time were individuals detained, questioned, or targeted by the LPD based solely on immigration status,” the police chief continued. “Any follow-up or action, if any, would fall under federal jurisdiction.”

Chief Kracyla says the department remains committed to transparency, lawful policing, an maintaining the community’s trust.