National police union 'shocked and appalled' at Chicago's refusal to help surrounded ICE agents

The largest national police union said it was "shocked and appalled" at Chicago Police Department leadership's refusal to help U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents who were surrounded by 10 vehicles.

Presidents of the National Fraternal Order of Police and Illinois State FOP on Sunday reacted to reports that Chicago's chief of patrol directed officers not to assist ICE agents surrounded by protesters on Saturday, Fox News reported.

"Details are still emerging, but it appears that officers from the Chicago Police Department were ordered not to assist a group of ICE agents while they were physically threatened by what appeared to be an angry mob," National FOP President Patrick Yoes said in a statement. "Let me be clear, both the National FOP and the Illinois FOP believe that when an officer calls for assistance, you answer, no matter what."

"We at the National FOP, as well as our members at the Illinois FOP, condemn these actions and urge Chicago officials to ensure that any law enforcement officer needing assistance is guaranteed that their brothers and sisters in law enforcement respond expeditiously," he added.

The union said that the Illinois Trust Act limits local police involvement in immigration enforcement and is contributing to a breakdown between local and federal law enforcement.

The FOP also referenced Department of Homeland Security data showing ICE agents have faced a 1,000% increase in violence since this year began.

"The number one unwritten rule in law enforcement is that we respond to any calls from officers in distress," Illinois State FOP President Chris Southwood said. "What would have happened if the local police were facing threats and nearby federal officers were told not to assist? Whether you agree about immigration enforcement or not, when a law enforcement officer is in trouble, nothing should stand in the way of fellow officers rendering assistance."

According to media reports, Chicago's chief of patrol directed officers not to respond to federal agents calling for assistance while being boxed in and surrounded, after a ramming incident on the southwest side of the city in which an armed woman was shot.

The Chicago Police Department, in a statement on Sunday, disputed claims that officers failed to respond, saying they were on the scene to maintain public safety and document the incident.

"To clarify misinformation currently circulating, CPD officers did in fact respond to the shooting scene involving federal authorities on Saturday to maintain public safety and traffic control," the department said.

CPD said that officers were present to ensure safety while federal authorities were leading the investigation into the shooting. The police also responded to another call involving two hit-and-run crashes affecting federal personnel, according to the department.

"The Chicago Police Department will always respond to anyone who is being attacked or is under the threat of physical harm," the department said. "For incidents involving federal immigration enforcement, CPD supervisors will respond to the scene and determine the appropriate course of action in accordance with City law."

Two ranking Chicago police sources told Fox News that the department's statement was, "COVER THEIR A-- BULLS--T!!"

One source said that CPD’s statement was "not true," and dispatch audio proves it. Officers had responded but had to leave because of the order, according to the source.