Quakertown police criticized for detaining student protesters

Residents call for police chief's resignation after clash with high school students protesting immigration policies

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Some residents in the Philadelphia suburb of Quakertown are calling for the police chief to resign after a scuffle between police and high school students protesting immigration enforcement policies left several juveniles in custody for four days. Video footage shows the police chief, who also serves as the borough manager, physically confronting student protesters before other officers intervened.

Why it matters

The incident has sparked outrage in the community over the police response to the student protest, with critics arguing the officers should have facilitated the demonstration rather than escalating the situation. The case raises questions about the appropriate handling of peaceful student protests and the use of force by authorities.

The details

The group of high school students had staged a walkout from Quakertown Community High School to protest immigration enforcement policies. Video shows the police chief, Scott McElree, approaching the student protesters and putting his arm around a teenage girl's neck before both falling to the ground. Other officers then intervened. The students were taken into custody and held over the weekend before being due in juvenile court on Tuesday. Authorities said the students had engaged in disruptive behavior like throwing snowballs and damaging property, but critics argue the police response was heavy-handed and violated the students' right to peacefully protest.

  • The incident occurred on Friday, February 24, 2026 during the student protest.
  • The students were held in custody throughout the weekend and again on Monday when a snowstorm closed county offices.
  • The students were due in juvenile court on Tuesday, February 27, 2026 for bail hearings.

The players

Scott McElree

The 72-year-old police chief of Quakertown who also serves as the borough manager, the town's top administrative official.

Joe Khan

The Bucks County District Attorney who is investigating the incident.

Witold Walczak

The legal director of the ACLU of Pennsylvania who criticized the police response.

Quakertown Community High School

The high school from which the student protesters walked out.

Quakertown

The Philadelphia suburb where the incident occurred, with a population of around 9,300 residents.

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What they’re saying

“In abandoning his job and his mission on Friday afternoon, Chief McElree effectively was acting as a counterprotester, albeit one with the ability to arrest people. Quakertown deserves better.”

— Witold Walczak, Legal director of the ACLU of Pennsylvania (who13.com)

“The police should have been there to facilitate the demonstration, ensuring that the students could safely exercise their rights to assemble and speak out freely as guaranteed by our Constitution. They failed.”

— Witold Walczak, Legal director of the ACLU of Pennsylvania (who13.com)

What’s next

The Bucks County District Attorney's Office is investigating the incident, and the students are due in juvenile court on Tuesday for bail hearings.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between law enforcement and student activists exercising their constitutional rights to protest. It raises questions about the appropriate police response to peaceful demonstrations and the need to balance public safety with protecting free speech.