A Worcester police union is asking out the actions of a metropolis councilor whom they allege “incited aggression towards police” as metropolis officers assisted federal immigration brokers in responding to a hostile crowd.
The Worcester Police Patrol Officers’ Union says it believes Metropolis Councilor Etel Haxhiaj “broke her oath and … ethical laws” together with her actions in a chaotic showdown that unfolded in a residential neighborhood she represents.
Haxhiaj and over two dozen residents responded to Eureka Road after the presence of federal brokers within the neighborhood sparked anger Thursday morning.
After authorities arrested a teenage woman who witnesses have stated is the daughter of a lady detained by ICE, Haxhiaj instructed the officer: “All you needed to do was just have one of us hold her and contain her. You didn’t have to take her. This is what we talk about, this is what we talk about. Your use of force is unnecessary.”
The officer responded, saying that the woman was obstructing police and that he understood “it’s a very emotional situation.”
Photographs and photographs from the scene present the woman down on the bottom. Officers charged the juvenile feminine with reckless endangerment of a kid, disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
“I am trying to protect my constituent,” Haxhiaj instructed the officer. “I have the right to be here. I am the city councilor, and I am protecting my constituents. … There was no reason why the woman was bent on the floor. Would you agree with me?”
The officer responded, “When I turned around, she was on the ground.”
Police Patrol Officers’ Union Thomas B. Duffy, in a launch on Friday, detailed how all accessible cops responded to the scene “to protect the public and ensure the safety of federal and Worcester police officers on scene.”
The union accused Haxhiaj of taking part “in the conduct of the unruly crowd” and “(assaulting) both Worcester police and federal law enforcement officers.”
“The conduct of this anti-police activist councilor is deplorable and unacceptable,” the union acknowledged. “No matter political views or views, metropolis officers ought to by no means condone the assault of an officer and flat-out disregard to the purpose of violent opposition, the authority of police to keep up security and public order.
Haxhiaj didn’t instantly reply to a Herald request for remark Friday night.
The union additionally accused Haxhiaj of trying to “use her official position several times to interfere with the police on scene.” It’s demanding that town carry out an “ethics investigation into her conduct.”
“No doubt, federal authorities will also review the incident and determine whether federal charges may be coming for those involved,” the union acknowledged. “No one has the right to act in such a reckless manner towards police officers, and we demand accountability …”
Worcester College Committee candidate Ashley Spring, 39, accused of shoving cops and interfering with federal immigration brokers through the “unruly” altercation, has been launched on private recognizance.
Choose Janet McGuiggan entered not responsible pleas on behalf of Spring throughout an arraignment on Friday. Authorities charged Spring with 4 counts of assault and battery on a police officer, interference with a police officer, disorderly conduct, and assault and battery with a harmful weapon (an unknown liquid substance).
Spring is due again in courtroom on June 23, in response to the Worcester County District Lawyer’s Workplace.
In an interview with GBH on Friday, Gov. Maura Healey stated she needed to “learn more about what actually happened” in Worcester whereas emphasizing: “You cannot move on police, you cannot attack police.”
“Law enforcement can, must and should work together to investigate and apprehend those who are committing criminal activities,” the governor stated. “I’ve also been clear that we are not a sanctuary state. I’ve also been clear that some of what I’ve seen when I look at ICE around the country is really disturbing and problematic, and we see it play out in court.”
Worcester Police acknowledged Thursday that federal brokers had arrested an older girl, and “several people” put their palms on the brokers and metropolis officers as they tried “to keep the vehicle and the arrestee from leaving.”
Police added: “As the vehicle went to pull away, a juvenile female had a newborn baby in her arms and was standing in front of the car with the newborn.” Police instructed her that she was “endangering the child and that she needed to move.”
The juvenile ultimately complied and was charged with reckless endangerment of a kid, disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. The toddler was not injured, in response to police.
Mayor Joseph M. Petty filed an order with town clerk on Friday requesting town supervisor and police chief “create a written policy on how we interact with ICE as a City.”
“Local government cannot abandon its residents the way that the federal administration has turned its back on being known as the land of opportunity,” Petty stated in a press release.
The police union added: “Our officers always strive to be as compassionate as we can daily. We as fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters understand human emotions and try to be as empathetic as we can while still doing the job we are required to do daily.”
Initially Printed: Might 9, 2025 at 5:51 PM EDT
