Justice Department Announces that Commitment to Reducing Violent Crime Stemming from Illegal Immigration will be Required for Participation in Public Safety Partnership Program

Overview: The Department of Justice today announced that, in order to be selected for participation in the Department’s Public Safety Partnership (PSP) program, local jurisdictions must show a commitment to reducing crime stemming from illegal immigration.

Read the full release on the Justice Department website.

In the attached letters, the Justice Department today formally requested that information from the following four local jurisdictions interested in the PSP program: Albuquerque, New Mexico; Baltimore, Maryland; San Bernardino, California; and Stockton, California

Reference:  San Bernardino Police’s Response to Statement from U.S. Department of Justice

Issuing Employee: Chief Jarrod Burguan

Release Date/Time:  August 3, 2017 / 2:00 PM

The Department of Justice’s Public Safety Partnership program was known under the prior administration as the Violence Reduction Network (VRN).  At that time, the City of San Bernardino Police Department was asked by the former U.S. Attorney assigned to Los Angeles to participate in a discussion to potentially include the City of San Bernardino in the VRN.  The San Bernardino Police Department accepted the invitation to join in the discussion.  In the statement released today, the newly named program, Public Safety Partnership (PSP), is seeking proof of compliance from potential partners based on the criteria set forth in their letter which the Police Department received on today’s date.

The City of San Bernardino is not a sanctuary city nor has it ever taken any official action to declare itself as one.

In a release issued today by the U.S. Department of Justice, the Department cited three separate criteria each jurisdiction would have to comply with to seek inclusion in the (PSP) program.  Each of these provisions are directed at jurisdictions who operate correctional or detention facilities.   The City of San Bernardino Police Department does not operate a jail facility.  Those individuals arrested by the Police Department are booked and lodged into the custody of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. Any questions or inquiries in regards to detention procedures and policies of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department should be referred to their respective agency.  Again, given that the City does not operate a jail facility, we do not meet the criteria set forth in the inquiry and we will be responding with that information to the Department of Justice in the coming days.