New Durham police chief faces criticism for link to 2018 arrests and deportation
New Durham Police Chief Patrice W. Andrews started her new job Monday facing fresh demands from local immigration activists and some members of the Latino community.
The critics want Andrews to make a public apology for her role in the arrest and subsequent deportation of Samuel Oliver-Bruno, an undocumented immigrant from Mexico who had been living in sanctuary in Durham.
The November 2018 incident resulted in the arrest of at least 27 people on obstruction charges after they tried to prevent police and Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers from arresting Oliver-Bruno and his son when he showed up for an immigration appointment in Morrisville. Andrews was the town’s police chief at the time.
Oliver-Bruno, who had taken refuge at CityWell United Methodist Church in Durham, has since died in Mexico. He suffered brain injuries after being hit by a truck in 2020, The News & Observer previously reported.
‘Wrongfully divided by a border’
“Those of us who were there the day Samuel was taken have experienced trauma. Those of us who were CityWell clergy and congregants lost a brother in Christ and a friend, and those of us who joined in solidarity lost a beloved community member,” activists wrote in an online petition listing demands for Andrews.
“Samuel’s deportation should have never happened, and he should not have died wrongfully divided by a border from his family,” it continued. “We didn’t get to say goodbye.”
The petition demands Andrews apologize for allegedly violating protesters’ First Amendment right to protest by issuing an order to disperse that led to the mass arrests.
The arrests and deportation received national attention, and Andrews’ involvement as police chief became a red flag for activists, who contacted Durham City Manager Wanda Page about it last month.
Durham city manager responds
Petitioners want Andrews to pledge that Durham police
▪ will not collaborate with ICE on arrests
▪ will put “trauma-informed” and racial equity training in place for law enforcement
▪ will assist immigrants who are in the country without authorization in obtaining visas for legal status.
“The City is aware of the petition,” Page told The N&O in a statement. “The City and the police department take the concerns stated seriously. As you are aware, the incident referenced occurred during the Chief’s tenure in another town, not in Durham. Chief Andrews will be reaching out to this group to discuss their concerns in the coming days, and they will be addressed in a way that’s consistent with the City of Durham values. “
Page selected Andrews for chief earlier last month.
In announcing her hiring, a city press release noted her more than 25 years of experience, most of it in the Durham Police Department, where she started as a patrol officer in 1997. She had been Morrisville’s chief since 2016.
Andrews was not able to respond to a request for comment from The N&O on Monday afternoon due to an all-day training session as part of her first week in office, a city spokesperson said.
This story was originally published November 1, 2021 at 3:15 PM.
