‘Shocking and distressing event’: ICE detained one person in Olympia on Wednesday, police chief confirms

Agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained a community member in Olympia on Wednesday, Nov. 5, the Olympia Police Department confirmed Friday.

Community members posting to social media reported seeing masked agents remove one person from a vehicle near the intersection of State and Pacific avenues in eastside Olympia on Wednesday morning.

The Olympia Police Department (OPD) was not notified of or involved in the incident, Olympia Police Chief Shelby Parker said in an official statement Friday afternoon.

“By state law, city resolution, and department policy, OPD does not cooperate or coordinate with federal immigration enforcement,” Parker said.

According to Parker, the Olympia Police Department received a 911 call about the incident 30 minutes after it occurred. All parties left the scene before officers arrived, but the department later confirmed that the detention was conducted by federal immigration agents acting under federal authority.

“This was a shocking and distressing event, and our thoughts are with the family of the detained individual, our community members who witnessed the incident, and everyone whose sense of safety was affected,” Parker stated.

In response to statewide concerns about ICE accessing local law enforcement databases linked to the security surveillance company Flock Safety, Parker assured that federal immigration authorities do not have access to OPD systems or data, including the Flock Safety camera network.

“Olympia’s Flock program is configured with the strictest data privacy and security safeguards available under Washington State law,” Parker said.

To “further promote transparency and understanding,” Parker said, OPD will present a public briefing on the city’s use of Flock Safety cameras and data protections during the Olympia City Council Study Session on Dec. 2. OPD encourages community members to attend.

The City of Olympia strengthened its Flock contract in May 2025 through an amendment that legally prohibits any data disclosure without the city’s express written consent or a valid legal order, according to the news release.

OPD encourages community members to call 911 immediately if they witness or suspect an enforcement action by unknown or masked individuals.

Responding officers will work to verify whether those involved are “legitimate law enforcement,” Parker said. But if officers do verify that the incident involves legitimate law enforcement — including ICE agents — OPD cannot intervene.

In that situation, Parker said, officers will endeavor to remain in the area and have a crisis response unit respond to support impacted families and individuals.

“Olympia’s strength lies in our community’s compassion and vigilance,” Parker said. “We thank the community members who reported this incident and who continue to look out for their neighbors. Your actions reflect our shared values.”