FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- JOINT PRESS RELEASE
January 30, 2025

Commitment to Community Safety and Collaboration

At the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the Bishop Police Department, our highest priority is ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone in Inyo County. We are committed to protecting and serving all residents, regardless of background or immigration status, and fostering trust between law enforcement and the community we proudly serve.

We understand that discussions surrounding federal immigration enforcement can cause concern, and we want to be clear about our role. Our agency is focused on local public safety—not immigration enforcement. California law, including the California Values Act (Senate Bill 54), provides clear guidelines on how local law enforcement agencies interact with federal immigration authorities, and we fully comply with these laws. Our deputies and officers do not ask individuals about their immigration status, nor do we detain people based solely on immigration violations.

At the same time, we recognize the importance of maintaining strong working relationships with all law enforcement partners—federal, state, and local. Collaboration between agencies is essential to keeping our community safe, particularly when addressing serious threats such as violent crime, drug trafficking, and human trafficking. When it comes to criminal investigations and public safety concerns, we will continue to work with our law enforcement partners in accordance with state and federal law, while ensuring that our primary focus remains on the safety and trust of our community.

All residents of Inyo County should feel safe when engaging with local law enforcement—whether reporting a crime, seeking assistance, or participating in community programs. No one should feel hesitant to reach out for help. We remain steadfast in our mission to protect and serve all members of our community with fairness, professionalism, and integrity, while also maintaining the important partnerships necessary to ensure public safety.

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