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FCPS operates under local and state authority and does not enforce federal law. Title 8 is the federal law that empowers federal immigration officers to enforce immigration laws.

FCPS officers do not investigate, detain or enforce laws based on immigration status. If someone commits a crime, we will take the appropriate actions based on that criminal behavior, regardless of immigration status. Though a City entity, FCPS is expected to cooperate with federal officials in response to criminal violations outside of Title 8; for example, investigations of drug or human trafficking, among others.

FCPS responds to a variety of calls to investigate suspicious circumstances, aid people in need, or assist with keeping the peace, among others. Our officers will also respond to any incident where crowd safety is needed—facilitating professional support that preserves the trust and resiliency of the Fort Collins community, as well as public right to peacefully protest.

Our mission is Safety and Service for ALL – regardless of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic, or immigration status. FCPS officers do not inquire about – or collect information on – someone’s immigration status when answering a call for service, taking reports, or collecting witness statements. It is important that our community feels confident about who to call in an emergency and to trust that when we respond, we will do so with professionalism, respect, and a careful, lawful investigation. Anyone who sees suspicious activity or witnesses a crime should always call 911.

Fort Collins Police operations are governed by state legislation, City Ordinances, and Agency Policies. The Agency’s policies can be accessed by the public through the FortCollins.gov/Police website. Following are highlights of specific Agency policies that address various aspects of this matter:

#338 Bias-Motivated Crimes

• Recognizes the Federal and State prohibitions on bias-motivated crimes.
• Commits to establishing proactive relationships and to swiftly investigating these crimes.
• Specifically prohibits turning a victim/witness over to federal authorities solely for immigration violations.

#340 Expectations of Conduct

• Prohibits harassment or intimidation of any person including that based on protected status.
• Prohibits any form of bias-based policing.
• Requires employees to have articulable, factual reasons for engaging in an investigation.
• Requires employees conduct courteous, civil, and respectful interactions.

#352 Mutual Aid and Outside Agency Assistance

• Requires employees to assist outside agencies whenever reasonably possible as is consistent with law and policy.

#368 Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Services

• Guides the Agency to make reasonable effort to provide assistance to LEP individuals through a variety of services and forbids denial of service based upon national origin or protected status.
• Ensures interpretation services are free of charge for LEP persons (telephone, authorized Agency member, or any other authorized interpreter).

#402 Racial or Bias-Based Profiling

• Forbids bias in race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, sex, sexual orientation, economic status, age, cultural group, disability, or affiliation with an identifiable group towards differing levels of service or enforcement.
• Forbids racial or bias-based profiling while allowing officers to consider legitimate reports of suspect description in taking action and requires officers to be prepared to articulate reasonable suspicion to justify a detention that is independent of the person’s protected class.

#428 Immigration Violations

• Discusses ICE’s primary authority under Title 8, USC.
• Notes that FCPS serves to preserve peace and will assist ICE in that capacity when criminal violations are discovered outside Title 8.
• Refers citizens reporting immigration violations to ICE.
• Allows officers to take reasonable steps to identify a person suspected of a criminal violation.
• Allows arrest of persons suspected of criminal violation who cannot be reasonably identified.
• Notes that a person may be booked into jail for suspected criminal violation and held for bail if there is a substantial likelihood that they will not show up for court appearance at a later date.
• States arrests will be based upon factors establishing probable cause and says race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, and socioeconomic status will be of no bearing.
• Acknowledges people’s need to feel secure that contacting law enforcement will not make them vulnerable to deportation.
• States that employees should not attempt to determine the immigration status of crime victims and witnesses and should not take enforcement action without reasonable suspicion they are involved in criminal law violations.

FCPS officers are required to display identification when interacting with the public (there are some special assignment exceptions, like Drug Task Force). Identifiers include a physical police badge or embroidered badge on their shirt, vest flaps marked “POLICE”, official uniform shoulder patch, or a City-issued vehicle marked with the Fort Collins Police logo. If you have concerns about the legitimacy of any law enforcement officers or suspicious people, call 911.

Every incident and interaction is nuanced with many factors providing weight for law enforcement decision-making. FCPS responds to a variety of calls to investigate suspicious circumstances, aid people in need, or assist with keeping the peace, among others. FCPS operates under local and state authority and has no authority over federal agents. Federal law does not allow FCPS to obstruct or interfere with the work of federal agents while they are performing their official duties. As such, we can ask to see a federal warrant and attempt to verify it, but depending on the circumstances, we may not be able to demand production of the warrant or verify it in real time.

In regards to the most recent national news coming from Minnesota, FCPS officers will respond to any incident where crowd safety is needed—in order to facilitate professional support that preserves the trust and resiliency of the Fort Collins community, as well as public right to peacefully protest. FCPS officers will respond to a scene with activated body-worn cameras and document their observations.

In an emergency, call 911 immediately. If you would like to file a non-emergency report, you can report concerns to Fort Collins Police Services:

Make an online report

Phone: (970) 419-3273 (FCPD)

In-person: 2221 Timberline Rd, Fort Collins, CO

or contact the Larimer County Bias and Hate Motivated Crime Hotline, phone: (970) 498-7150.