Former law enforcement officials say traditional protocols are not being followed in ICE shooting probe
Both retired officials say they depended on cooperation with federal agencies to investigate sensitive cases and disregarding the resources of the Minnesota BCA is unprecedented
FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – Former Fargo Police Department Detective Lieutenant Joel Vettel is no stranger to typical procedure when it comes to how law enforcement handles an officer-involved shooting.
“We’ve had protocols in place that are very specific on how we handle these types of situations. They’re proven to work. Deviating from those for any reason – there has to be a very rational answer to do that,” he explained.
This means that the move by the federal government – to block the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension from helping get to the bottom of this deadly confrontation between an ICE agent and a 37-year-old Minneapolis woman – is pretty much without precedent.
Former Moorhead Chief of Police Dave Ebinger is also flabbergasted.
“When Kristi Noem’s comments came out yesterday, it just gobsmacked me,” he said. “This is a new approach. This is not what’s worked in the past.”
He worked extensively with the BCA and has nothing but praise for the agency.
“It’s just a top-notch operation. To have them involved, and to have the caliber of leadership that’s involved with public safety – I think it’d set a lot of people’s minds at ease,” he added.
Both men say that a comprehensive, coordinated investigation is in everyone’s best interests, regardless of your political views – because the lack of one will lead to more needless division.
“Even if every federal agent does their job diligently – if there’s still this perceived divide, there’ll be an awful lot of people who won’t accept anything they come through with,” explained Ebinger.
Ebinger added specifically that it’s not too late to change course and prevent that acrimony.
He called on Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to let the Minnesota BCA back into the investigation.
