Sheriff Defends Law Enforcement Integrity Against Political Misinformation

Loudoun County is governed by a nine-member Board of Supervisors that includes Chair At-Large Phyllis Randall, Vice Chair Michael Turner of the Ashburn District, Juli Briskman of the Algonkian District, Sylvia Glass of the Broad Run District, Caleb Kershner of the Catoctin District, Matthew Letourneau of the Dulles District, Kristen Umstattd of the Leesburg District, Laura TeKrony of the Little River District, and Koran Saines of the Sterling District.

Sheriff Mike Chapman of the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office has issued a detailed letter to the Board of Supervisors clarifying the agency's longstanding practices with federal partners. The communication comes ahead of a scheduled board meeting where the topic of immigration enforcement cooperation will be discussed. Chapman emphasizes that the office maintains consistent policies focused on public safety regardless of national political leadership.

The sheriff stresses that the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office cooperates with all law enforcement agencies at every level to keep the community safe. This approach has contributed to Loudoun County remaining one of the safest areas in the Washington metropolitan region. Chapman notes that false information about field operations with Immigration and Customs Enforcement undermines trust and endangers residents.

Commitment to Accurate Information and Community Trust

Chapman points out that the sheriff's office does not engage in field enforcement actions alongside or for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Any suggestion otherwise misrepresents the facts and the agency's operations. The office prioritizes transparency to maintain strong relationships with the diverse communities it serves.

Database checks during routine encounters follow standard national practices used by law enforcement everywhere. These queries through systems like the National Crime Information Center provide critical context about individuals without leading to detentions based solely on immigration matters. Notices to federal authorities occur only as professional courtesy when encounters happen.

Focus on Criminal Justice and Public Safety Priorities

The collaboration with Immigration and Customs Enforcement remains limited to individuals already held in the county detention center on unrelated criminal charges. This process occurs through an established program that allows brief holds for federal pickup when necessary. Such measures target those with criminal histories while respecting legal boundaries.

Over a recent 16-month period the office provided 13 notifications to Immigration and Customs Enforcement following encounters. None of those cases resulted in immigration-related custody. During the same timeframe deputies handled more than 233,000 calls for service and nearly 50,000 traffic stops.

Chapman declines an invitation to participate in what he describes as a political event at the board meeting. The sheriff keeps an open door for constructive dialogue with supervisors on maintaining safety in Loudoun County. The letter underscores that accurate information protects both residents and effective policing.

https://www.loudoun.gov/m/NewsFlash/home/detail/10865

Email the Loudoun County Board:
Phyllis Randall, Phyllis.Randall@loudoun.gov,
Mike Turner, Mike.Turner@loudoun.gov,
Juli Briskman, Juli.Briskman@loudoun.gov,
Sylvia Glass, Sylvia.Glass@loudoun.gov,
Caleb Kershner, caleb.kershner@loudoun.gov,
Matt Letourneau, Matt.Letourneau@loudoun.gov,
Kristen Umstattd, Kristen.Umstattd@loudoun.gov,
Laura TeKrony, Laura.TeKrony@loudoun.gov,
Koran Saines, Koran.Saines@loudoun.gov,

Email the Loudoun County School Board:
April Chandler, april.chandler@lcps.org,
Anne Donohue, anne.donohue@lcps.org,
Deana Griffiths, deana.griffiths@lcps.org,
Ross Svenson, ross.stevenson@lcps.org,
Kari LaBell, kari.labell@lcps.org,
Jon Pepper, jonathon.pepper@lcps.org,
Lauren Shernoff, lauren.shernoff@lcps.org,
Sumera Rashid, sumera.rashid@lcps.org,
Amy Riccardi, amy.riccardi@lcps.org,

Email the Loudoun County Board/Council:
Phyllis Randall, Phyllis.Randall@loudoun.gov,
Mike Turner, Mike.Turner@loudoun.gov,
Juli Briskman, Juli.Briskman@loudoun.gov,
Sylvia Glass, Sylvia.Glass@loudoun.gov,
Caleb Kershner, caleb.kershner@loudoun.gov,
Matt Letourneau, Matt.Letourneau@loudoun.gov,
Kristen Umstattd, Kristen.Umstattd@loudoun.gov,
Laura TeKrony, Laura.TeKrony@loudoun.gov,
Koran Saines, Koran.Saines@loudoun.gov,