Phoenix, AZ, December 18, 2007....The Arizona Region of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) applauds yesterday's statement by Phoenix Police Chief Jack Harris, opposing the use of his department to enforce immigration law. 

In defending his department's current non-discriminatory policy under Operations Order 1.4, Chief Harris cited the strain a revision of that policy would place upon his department's limited resources, as well as shifting the focus from fighting crime to evaluating immigration status as a matter of routine.

Arizona Regional Board Chair David Bodney and Regional Director Bill Straus stated: "The Chief is absolutely correct in the priorities he has established for his officers.  Revising the current policy could very well lead to Phoenix Police becoming more involved in checking ID's than keeping the community safe from violent criminals. 

"Additionally, ADL shares the Chief's concerns that revising the policy would undermine the relationship between the Latino community and the police, resulting in crime victims and witnesses being very reluctant to cooperate with officers.  The Phoenix Police Department has worked too hard to create an environment of trust conducive to effective community policing to let it all unravel now."

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.