Updated Monday at 1:31 p.m.: City officials in Decatur are working to “clarify” the immigration policy instituted by the police chief last week and protested Sunday in a Facebook post by Mayor Tab Bowling.

Bowling has also apparently deleted his Facebook post in which he spoke out against the policy initiated by Chief Nate Allen.

In a new post Monday afternoon on the mayor’s Facebook page, a press release from the city of Decatur said that the mayor’s office, police department and the legal department are now working together to reshape the policy.

The full post from the city of Decatur statement:

"In lieu of any press conferences and in response to concerns voiced regarding General Order 426.0 (Immigration Procedures), the mayor’s office, legal department and police department are working to clarify the policy to correct some misunderstandings or vagueness and to ensure compliance with state and federal requirements.

“The changes should be made quickly and will be released as soon as completed.

“It is our desire in the city to fully comply with the letter and spirit of federal and state laws as we work together to protect the people of the city of Decatur.”

Original story: Decatur’s mayor and police department are at odds over a new immigration policy introduced last week by the police chief.

Mayor Tab Bowling posted on Facebook his strong objection to the new policy, saying “Decatur will not be a sanctuary city” for those in the country without legal immigration status. And the police department on Monday stood by its new policy in its own Facebook post.

The dispute has captured the attention of Mo Brooks, an immigration hawk and north Alabama congressman whose district include Decatur. Brooks on Monday tweeted support for Bowling.

2/2 #SanctuaryCities #IllegalAliens #BuildTheWall



The best way to reduce crime, lower tax burdens & protect jobs and incomes for American families is by cooperating with Immigration & Customs Enforcement efforts to evict illegal aliens who thumb their noses at American laws. pic.twitter.com/RIh2H7XivE — Mo Brooks (@RepMoBrooks) September 30, 2019

Bowling said in his Facebook post that he would ask Police Chief Nate Allen to rescind the policy rolled out on Sept. 25. Based on the police department’s Facebook post Monday, that’s not happening.

“We’re proud of the service we provide to our residents," Allen said in the police Facebook post. “We’re in the business of saving lives, helping the hurt, and comforting the scared. We’ll leave the governing decisions to those best versed to make them.”

The police department post said it was following guidelines provided by Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).

The policy, which was included in the mayor’s Facebook post, said Decatur police will “refrain” from entering into “voluntary agreements” with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) because they are “not consistent with furthering DPD’s community policing philosophy.”

"Officers will not undertake any immigration-related investigation unless said operation involves an individual who has committed crimes directly related to public safety or as outlined in Section 5."

The Decatur Police Department is committed to the safety and well-being of all residents by upholding and enforcing all... Posted by Decatur Police Department Alabama on Monday, September 30, 2019

The policy goes on to specify the circumstances in which a Decatur police officer may assist ICE.

"An individual's right to file a police report or otherwise receive services from DPD is not contingent upon their citizenship or immigration status," the policy said.

"Officers shall strive to treat all individuals equally and fairly regardless of their immigration status."

The policy also prohibits police officers from inquiring about immigration status or requesting immigration documents – such as a passport or a green card.

The mayor's full Facebook post:

"I recently learned of a policy that was distributed to the Decatur Police Department by Chief of Police, Nate Allen, instructing our Officers to not support Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) within our Police Jurisdiction.

"Let this notice be an answer to all rumors associated with Chief Allen’s policy; Decatur will not be a Sanctuary City. I will ask Chief Allen to rescind his policy and I am confident our City Council will stand in favor of my statement.

"Immigration is fundamentally a federal issue and we are a creature of the state in so many ways.

"Being a Sanctuary City is not obeying criminal judicial warrants.

"That is not going to be the case in Decatur, Alabama. We will obey, enforce and support the laws, current and future.

"I am including Chief Allen’s policy that I just found out about after it was sent to our department.

“A decision of this nature should always come to the Office of the Mayor before implementing. It is definitely a reflection on my performance and decision making to which I was not involved.”

The police department’s full Facebook post:

"The Decatur Police Department is committed to the safety and well-being of all residents by upholding and enforcing all local and state laws. Officers shall strive to treat all individuals equally and fairly regardless of their immigration status.

"All policies and procedures of the department are carefully written and reviewed under the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies’ strict guidelines and best practices.

“As an agency seeking accreditation, we take great pride in creating only fair and clear policies impacting our community. Our roles as a municipal police department are direct, and our policies are unilaterally focused on the protection of all who reside in Decatur and the officers who keep them safe,” says CALEA Accreditation Manager Sergeant Selby De Léon.

"With over 1,000 accredited departments nationwide, CALEA provides the framework for addressing high risk issues within a contemporary environment to ensure officers are prepared and meet basic community service expectations.

“We’re proud of the service we provide to our residents. We’re in the business of saving lives, helping the hurt, and comforting the scared. We’ll leave the governing decisions to those best versed to make them,” says Police Chief Nate Allen."

Updated today, Sept. 30, 2019, at 10:12 a.m. with police department response.