Police Officers Sworn in - Chief Explains City Immigration Enforcement Policies - Mayor's Report
Seven new police officers took their oaths at Tuesday night’s Westerville City Council meeting. Right after, Police Chief Holly Murchland spoke to council members and the public about how the city handles immigration enforcement.
Murchland explained that she spoke up because of ongoing changes and debate about federal immigration policy, but stressed that Westerville’s local practices remain the same.
She said the Westerville Police Department has no programs or policies that single out residents or visitors based on their immigration status. The department is committed to enforcing the law and providing services fairly, while treating everyone with respect.
“These are the same comments we made two years ago in this very setting,” Murchland said. “Our policies remain intact. Nothing has changed.”
Murchland pointed out that the department is nationally accredited by CALEA, which requires clear policies on immigration issues. She said that under these rules, Westerville police do not help federal immigration authorities, including ICE, with immigration enforcement.
Officers only assist with public safety matters, such as directing traffic or maintaining order.
She also discussed recent protests and demonstrations in Uptown Westerville and on Schrock Road, explaining what the department does during such events.
“Our responsibility is to protect people’s First Amendment rights to peacefully protest,” Murchland said, “and we are also responsible for the safety of motorists and pedestrians.”
She reminded demonstrators to stay out of the road and not block streets or sidewalks for safety reasons. The city’s website has information on how to stay safe during protests.
With the national debate over immigration still going on, Murchland said she hopes the community continues to trust local law enforcement.
“Our focus will remain on safe neighborhoods and keeping the community safe for everyone,” she said.
Murchland also encouraged residents with questions or concerns about immigration enforcement to call the police department’s administration line at 614-901-6470 to speak directly with police leaders.
No council members raised any questions following her remarks.
Mayor’s Report
In his mayor’s report, David Grimes thanked city crews for their work clearing snow and ice after the recent winter weather. Grimes said the streets were cleared “in record time, all things considered,” and praised the city’s public service teams for their efforts.
He reminded residents that Westerville has a city manager form of government, so the mayor does not handle street plowing or service requests.
“When you text, call, or email the mayor about plowing your street, I’m not the one that gets that done,” Grimes said.
Residents with concerns should call the city’s customer service line at 614-901-6400, which routes requests to the appropriate departments. Grimes also mentioned that the city’s website has a GIS system so residents can see when streets have been plowed.
Grimes encouraged more residents to join the city’s Snow Patrol volunteer program, noting that during the last snowstorm, requests for help shoveling driveways and sidewalks far outnumbered available volunteers.
“We had way more shovel needs than we had volunteers signed up,” he said.
He asked residents who could help to sign up for the program, and said that even those who already helped neighbors on their own should still register.
“If you went out there and shoveled a bunch of other driveways, sign up for it anyway,” Grimes said. He explained that this helps volunteers get paired up more easily for future snowstorms.
Snow Emergency Page with phone numbers.
Snow Patrol Signup
The Westerville News is a reader-supported publication by Gary Gardiner, a lifelong journalist who believes hyper-local reporting is the future of news. This publication focuses exclusively on Westerville—its local news, influence on Central Ohio, and how surrounding areas shape the community.
Reader funding, including subscribers, protects editorial independence, so coverage is guided by journalists rather than owners or corporate profit goals. It also reduces pressure to chase clicks, letting the newsroom focus on stories worth readers’ time. And it helps keep the site accessible to everyone, including people who can’t pay or live in places where a free press is under threat.
Explore more hyper-local reporting by subscribing to The Hilliard Beacon, Civic Capacity, Marysville Matters, The Ohio Roundtable, Shelby News Reporter, This Week in Toledo, and Into the Morning by Krista Steele.
I miss your green grape report. Fortunately I’ve still been able to find a few Autumn Crips.