Quakertown Residents Demand Police Chief Resignation After Student ICE Protest

Several juveniles were detained for 4 days following clashes with officers at high school protest

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Residents in the Philadelphia suburb of Quakertown are calling for the police chief to resign after officers scuffled with high school students protesting immigration enforcement policies last week. Video showed the police chief physically restraining a teenage girl during the confrontation, leading to the arrest and detention of several juveniles for four days.

Why it matters

The incident has sparked outrage in the community over the police response to the student protest, raising concerns about the use of force against minors and the appropriate handling of demonstrations involving juveniles.

The details

Video posted to social media showed the tussle between students and officers, though it's unclear what started the confrontation. At one point, 72-year-old Police Chief Scott McElree approached and put his arm around the neck of a teenage girl.

  • The incident occurred last week during a high school student protest.

The players

Scott McElree

The 72-year-old police chief of Quakertown who was seen physically restraining a teenage girl during the protest.

Quakertown residents

Local community members who are calling for the police chief's resignation in response to the handling of the student protest.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The community is demanding an investigation into the police response and the potential resignation of the police chief.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between law enforcement and youth activists, as well as the need for clear policies and training on how to appropriately handle protests involving minors.