In an attempt to deliver transparency, the Worcester Police Department has released the first batch of body camera footage files and audio from emergency communication dispatch calls from last week’s chaotic ICE showdown.

The audio and video clips bring to life the moments when the city police department received and responded to calls from federal agents who needed assistance in separating an “unruly” crowd of roughly 25 activists who surrounded them.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement had been on Eureka Street, in a residential neighborhood, to detain a criminal illegal alien accused of assaulting her pregnant 16-year-old daughter. Neighbors, including City Councilor Etel Haxhiaj, tried to block the arrest.

Officials said they uploaded three videos of WPD body-worn camera footage to the city’s YouTube channel on Friday, “along with a video that includes all audio files from the emergency communications dispatch calls regarding the incident.”

They added that the city’s Law Department “has been actively working on reviewing and redacting videos, which include more than 550 minutes of footage, since May 8 and will release footage on a rolling basis as quickly as possible.”

“I want to be undeniably clear that our Police Department will never target individuals based on their immigration status,” City Manager Eric D. Batista said in a statement. “The body-worn camera footage from the first responding officer will show that the target of ICE’s operation was already detained by federal agents prior to WPD’s arrival and that WPD did not assist ICE with the civil arrest.

“The footage of a family being torn apart is disturbing to watch,” Batista added, “but the municipality cannot interfere in or prevent a federal detainment.”

The city manager has also issued an executive order establishing that “municipal employees and officers shall not inquire about immigration status nor shall immigration status impact the treatment of a resident, victim, suspect, arrestee, 911 caller, or another member of the public with whom a municipal employee has contact” — closely following state law.

Massachusetts US Attorney Leah Foley has warned that her office will investigate anyone who tries to interfere with ICE operations across the Bay State, and that includes elected officials.

“This conduct poses significant public and officer safety risks,” Foley said in a statement on Wednesday. “It is conduct that should be vilified rather than glorified.”

WPD is requesting that the Ccurt dismiss the case against a juvenile female it arrested at the scene on charges of reckless endangerment of a child, disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest – “given the totality of circumstances,” Chief Paul Saucier said in a statement.

The juvenile has been identified as the teenage daughter of Rosane Ferreira De Oliveira, the illegal alien detained by ICE.

“It is important to emphasize that assaulting or interfering with law enforcement officers as they carry out their duties is never acceptable,” Saucier said. “The Worcester Police Department remains committed to fulfilling our responsibilities of protecting all residents of the City of Worcester.”

Worcester Police body camera footage shows City Councilor Etel Haxhiaj (left) confronting officers. (Herald screengrab)
Worcester Police body camera footage from a chaotic showdown between activists and federal immigration agents. (Herald screengrab)