NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A coordinated operation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) across Nashville last weekend has raised questions about local law enforcement’s involvement and the city’s preparedness for such an event.
According to Wally Dietz, the Director of Law for the Metropolitan Government of Nashville, the joint operation conducted by ICE and THP, which involved approximately 150 traffic stops and several arrests, took local officials by surprise. Nashville’s legal team released a timeline shedding light on the city’s limited role in the operation, which also involved the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The operation, which began on the morning of Sunday, May 4, involved a series of traffic stops and detainments across the city. While the operation was carried out by ICE and THP, the city of Nashville insists that the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) had no involvement whatsoever.
The Chain of Events
The confusion surrounding the operation began on Thursday, May 1, when a man identifying himself as “Inspector Jackson Sanders” from the Federal Protective Service (a division of DHS) called the Department of Emergency Communications (DEC). Sanders requested extra police patrol at Nashville’s ICE facility on Brick Church Park Drive, citing concerns about potential retaliation from families of those detained by ICE.
This request was entered into the DEC system, where it was scheduled for review by the dispatcher on Sunday, May 4, at 10 a.m. The dispatcher, upon seeing the request, forwarded it to Metro officers at the North Precinct, Sergeant Megan Lamon and Officer Cory Bean. The request noted that there was concern about possible protests in response to the detainment of individuals, prompting the call for additional patrols.
The dispatch read: “Req Xtra patrol for every hour on Sunday/ concerned there will be retaliate from family members on Sunday due to detaining subjs.”
MNPD’s Limited Role
Upon receiving the dispatch, the MNPD officers immediately proceeded to the ICE facility to investigate the nature of the request. After inquiring with facility staff, the officers left but later returned to monitor the area for public safety. They observed a growing crowd of people outside the facility. According to the timeline, the MNPD officers observed the crowd from across the street until THP took over the monitoring.
It was later reported that, at the same time the MNPD was responding to the extra patrol request, the ICE and THP operation had already begun in South Nashville, involving several traffic stops and detainments. However, there is no indication that the MNPD was made aware of the operation in advance or involved in the execution of the joint effort.
No Coordination with Local Police
The lack of coordination between the federal and local agencies has raised concerns about communication and transparency. The city’s legal team emphasized that the MNPD played no role in the execution of the operation and had no prior knowledge of the planned traffic stops and arrests.
“The MNPD was not involved in the operation in any capacity,” Dietz stated. “While local officers were called to ensure public safety and manage any protests, they were not a part of the enforcement action taken by ICE and THP.”
Local community groups have raised questions about the operation’s impact on Nashville residents, particularly those from immigrant and refugee communities. Some have voiced concern over the timing of the operation, coming during a weekend when people may have been visiting the ICE facility or attending protests in response to detainments.
Broader Implications for Local Law Enforcement
The operation raises broader questions about the level of coordination and oversight that exists between federal agencies and local law enforcement. While the MNPD was not directly involved, the presence of local officers at the scene highlights the role of city authorities in maintaining public order during such federal operations.
The operation also sheds light on how federal actions can unfold without prior notice to local authorities, especially when sensitive community concerns, such as possible protests, are involved. For now, Nashville officials are left to process the aftermath of the surprise operation, which appears to have caught both the community and local law enforcement off guard.
As the investigation continues, local leaders are likely to seek more clarity on the coordination (or lack thereof) between federal and local agencies, particularly when such high-profile operations are taking place in their jurisdiction.
