Chief of Police Eric Gandy Meeting with UNIMEX about Immigration: June 26, 2025
On Thursday, June 26, 2025, Clearwater Police Chief Eric Gandy met with members of UNIMEX and LULAC. The meeting focused on building trust and clarifying local law enforcement's role concerning immigration within the Hispanic community in the City of Clearwater.
Chief Gandy's Opening Remarks
Chief Gandy emphasized his background in community policing and the Clearwater Police Department's long-standing relationship with the Hispanic community.
He acknowledged Pinellas County's large Hispanic population and stressed the importance of trust to prevent residents from becoming victims of crime. He also touched upon the complexities of immigration enforcement.
Law Enforcement's Stance on Immigration
Chief Gandy addressed the sensitive topic of immigration, acknowledging the widespread misinformation and fear within the community.
Misinformation: Both the police department and the immigrant community are victims of misinformation, especially concerning social media rumors about ICE raids or local police involvement in immigration enforcement.
He debunked rumors of ICE raids by Clearwater police, clarifying that local police have not been involved in such operations.
ICE Agreements: Chief, Sheriff, and Local Law Enforcement in Florida were compelled to sign an agreement with ICE. The CPD signed the agreement in February 2025, but there has been zero training or communication from ICE regarding immigration enforcement.
The Chief's personal view is that immigration is a federal responsibility, and local law enforcement does not have the resources or desire to act as immigration police.
Support for Federal Partners: Historically, the Clearwater Police Department has supported federal partners like ICE (and its predecessors) by providing security, but ICE typically handles its own operations.
Concerns about Deputization:
He expressed concern about the rapidly changing landscape and the potential for new executive orders that could compel local police to act in an immigration capacity, despite officers' reluctance and lack of training.
Chief Gandy expressed concerns about the potential consequences if local officers are compelled to act as immigration police, particularly regarding families with U.S. citizen children if parents are detained. He emphasized that the focus for local law enforcement remains on criminals.
Detainers: If an individual is arrested for a criminal charge and has an ICE detainer, the jail takes over. However, for traffic stops or non-criminal encounters where an ICE detainer appears in the system, officers are instructed not to hold individuals longer than 20-30 minutes to contact ICE, as ICE rarely sends agents to pick them up. Generally CPD will not hold individuals for extended periods if ICE cannot respond quickly.
Checkpoints: The Chief stated that checkpoints for immigration purposes are illegal and not conducted by Clearwater police stating that the only legal checkpoints are for DUIs.
U Visas: Chief Gandy stated that he will sign U visa applications for legitimate victims of serious crimes who are cooperating with prosecution, emphasizing that this information is handled by the legal department and not used for other purposes.
Community Concerns and Officer Interactions
The discussion then shifted to specific concerns from the community:
Profiling: UNIMEX shared an experience of being stopped and questioned by police while driving to a baptism, feeling profiled despite not speeding. Chief Gandy suggested such stops might be due to mistaken identity based on reports of reckless vehicles.
Passenger Identification: The Chief clarified that during a routine traffic stop, only the driver is required to provide identification, unless officers suspect passengers of a crime, in which case they must state the reason. Passengers can be ordered to exit or remain in the vehicle for safety.
Interacting with Officers: Community members asked for advice on how to de-escalate situations. Chief Gandy advised:
Comply with lawful requests for driver's license, registration, and insurance during traffic stops due to safety concerns.
Be civil and avoid escalating confrontations.
You always have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney if accused of a crime.
If an officer asks to search a vehicle or person, ask for the reason. Vehicles can be searched without a warrant if probable cause exists (e.g., smell of marijuana).
For homes or churches, a warrant is generally required for entry or search, unless there's an emergency.
Bounty Hunters and ICE Impersonation: Concerns were raised about deputized bounty hunters being aggressive and the detention of individuals with legal status by ICE agents using vague excuses. Chief Gandy expressed his dismay, stating that such actions are "terrifying" and "without cause" if based solely on appearance. He reiterated that the focus for Pinellas County law enforcement is on criminals, not families or individuals with legal status.
Child Welfare: The Chief acknowledged the serious concern of children being left without parents if both are detained by ICE and the proactive measures parents are taking with notarized letters.
U-Visas: Chief Gandy confirmed that he signs U-visa applications for genuine victims of serious qualifying crimes who are cooperating with prosecution, emphasizing that the department does not use these applications to target individuals.
Filming Police: Citizens can film arrests from 25 feet away, as per a new Florida law, which is a safety measure. If being arrested or detained, individuals must comply with officer commands, including putting down a phone if asked.
Impersonating Law Enforcement/ICE: If anyone suspects they are being stopped by someone impersonating police or ICE, they should call 911 immediately to verify. The dispatcher can confirm if local police are involved or send an officer to investigate.
Public Statement & Town Hall Request to Speak About Immigration with the Hispanic Community
Will you publicly address your stance on ICE and immigration laws in the City of Clearwater, and consider an immigration town hall with the Hispanic community?
Currently, Chief Gandy has no plans for a public address or town hall regarding these specific issues. Nevertheless, Chief Gandy has proposed regular bimonthly meetings with UNIMEX to address any inquiries, and we encourage continued communication to provide necessary clarification.
During the meeting, it became clear how intricate and changing immigration enforcement is, and how the police department is striving to manage this while keeping the community's trust and concentrating on criminal behavior.
Chief Gandy conveyed his empathy for the fear and misinformation in the community, reiterating that the department's priority is addressing crime, never family separation.
He recognized the troubling and complex nature of the current situation for all, highlighting law enforcement's continuous learning process and his dedication to open communication.
