NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — The New Port Richey City Council has voted to enter into an agreement between the U.S. Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the city police department.

The police department's agreement was approved by the city council in a 4-1 vote. It adopted 287G – which requires cities to allow their law enforcement to work under ICE supervision.

New Port Richey Police Chief Robert Kochen said the agreement is in the early stages.

“What that means is that we agree to train officers – selective officers with ICE – I believe it’s a 40-hour online training course that ICE oversees, and once those officers become trained, they’ll be working under the direction of ICE," Kochen said.

The city council approved the measure earlier this month. Mayor Chopper Davis supports the move.

“The police are ready to go to work in support of ICE – not do ICE's job. ICE will come and tell us, 'We know there is a problem in town, we need some backing, can you help us,'” Davis said.

Council member Bertell Butler voted against the measure.

“When I saw the agreement come for up for a vote, I thought we already do what’s described in here, so why are we giving the power to supervise our officers? We have a great police force, so I was just shocked as a word that comes to mind – it's just so unnecessary,” Butler said.

Since 2019, Florida law prohibits cities from having sanctuary policies. If a city refuses to adopt the 287G program, it would violate state law, with penalties that include contempt or lawmakers being removed from office.

The New Port Richey Police Department is still waiting to hear from ICE on its next steps.