RCPD Director Addresses ICE Concerns and Homelessness in Community Town Hall

MANHATTAN, KS — The Riley County Police Department (RCPD) held a public town hall on Wednesday, Jan. 28, aimed at fostering transparency and addressing the most pressing concerns of Manhattan residents.

RCPD Director Brian Peete led the discussion, which spanned a wide range of local issues including general public safety and the city’s ongoing challenges with homelessness. However, the focal point of the evening was the department’s relationship with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Clarifying the Role of Federal Oversight

Amid national controversy surrounding immigration enforcement, Peete sought to reassure attendees regarding the department’s specific policies. He confirmed that Riley County does not have a 287(g) agreement with ICE—a federal program that allows state and local law enforcement to perform certain functions of federal immigration agents.

Peete emphasized that if ICE agents enter the jurisdiction, the RCPD’s priority remains the safety of all community members.

“If there is a member of the community that we may even know that they’re working to get, how can we work together to ensure the safety of the agents, plus the safety of the individual,” Peete told KSNT News. “…how can we address potentially volatile situations with people who have no trust in ICE. How can we help facilitate safety for everybody while letting ICE do what their mission is, while ensuring our people that they’re safe.”

Building Community Trust

The town hall is part of a broader effort by the RCPD to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the public. Director Peete noted that these dialogues are essential for maintaining a foundation of trust, though some residents remain cautiously optimistic.

Jocelyn Korenek, a Manhattan resident who attended the meeting, expressed a mix of hope and skepticism regarding the department’s promises.

“I think, due to my own biases, I feel like they’re just saying what we want to hear. I do have some hope that they would protect us and actually do mean what they say and keep things civil,” Korenek told KSNT News. “I will have faith in that and will continue to assess the situation and judge RCPD based off how they respond to future circumstances.”