Butler County is signing a new insurance agreement to help provide coverage for the Sheriff’s department ICE-related activities.
The county’s insurance provider, PCoRP, decided to not provide liability coverage for the 287g agreement, which allows sheriff deputies to help ICE with immigration enforcement in the county.
County commissioners voted 2-1, with Kevin Boozel dissenting, to approve the contract with Richmond Insurance for just over $20,000. Sheriff Mike Slupe says the money will be reimbursed by the federal government.
“I truly believe this is a board of governance issue” Boozel said. “There is still litigation pending, which I know the County Commissioner Association of Pennsylvania has filed an amicus brief, which I believe is correct.”
The amicus brief is related to a lawsuit from Juniata County in which their sheriff signed the 287g agreement, but their board of commissioners believe that it must be approved by the board. Boozel said he agreed with their view, which is why he voted against the motion.
Sheriff Mike Slupe has a different view.
“I sign agreements as an elected official,” Slupe said. “I don’t believe 287g is a contract.” Slupe also said the sheriff’s solicitor Tom King agrees with that assessment as well.
The liability insurance contract covers Sheriff Department “Task Force Operations” and 13 deputies in the department.
Boozel had concerns about what happens when a sheriff deputy responds to an ICE operation outside of the county. He cited the ICE operation in Kittanning, when law enforcement responded to the DMV where a number of illegal immigrants were allegedly renewing commercial driver’s licenses.
“That deputy called me and asked if he could participate in the operation. I told him no, since it was outside of the county and during a holiday,” Slupe said.
Boozel said he was curious if something were to happen during that operation to the sheriff deputy, who would be liable for insurance coverage. Slupe said the federal government and ICE would be responsible.
Slupe also added the federal government will be reimbursing the sheriff’s office for all costs incurred during ICE operations. Those have not yet been sent out yet due to the partial government shutdown.
The sheriff operates on a budget of just over $3.7 million.
County Commissioners say the insurance policy had to be approved by the board because it involves an expense, even though the funds will be reimbursed by the federal government according to Slupe.
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