A spokesman for the San Diego Police Department says the department will not change its policies in the face of pledges made by President-elect Donald Trump to toughen up the country's immigration laws.
"If you are a criminal and in the country illegally you will most likely be deported after you have been held accountable for your crime," SDPD Lieutenant Scott Wahl, a spokesman for the department, said in a statement.
SDPD officers do not initiate contact with anyone for the sole purpose of determining if they are in the county illegally, according to policy in place right now, said Wahl.
"There has to be a criminal nexus," Wahl said in the statement.
While on the campaign trail, Trump promised to make immigration a key issue going into his presidency. He told supporters he would build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border and deport undocumented immigrants living in the country.
In the days since his election, many have been concerned about the pledges Trump made.
Wahl said the department does not want victims or witnesses to be afraid of stepping forward in the future because of Trump's promises.
"We also want to emphasize if you are a victim or a witness to a crime we want you to come forward without fear of being deported," Wahl said. "There are protections in place victims and witnesses."
The Los Angeles Police Department Chief previously voiced a similar perspective on a potential change in immigration policies, saying his department does not intend to do anything different.
