Quakertown chief says he was protecting not choking student: Police report

Newly obtained police reports give Quakertown Police Chief Scott McElree’s version of what happened during when a student protest turned violent when he arrived on scene last month He denies he placed a student in a chokehold and that he didn’t identify himself as a police officer.

His account is contained among a 40-page report that provides the most complete police account, so far, of what happened before, during and after, the Feb. 20 incident, when at least 30 students left Quakertown Community High School after an on-campus ICE demonstration was canceled.

In the chief’s 14-page supplemental report, McElree alleged he identified himself as a police officer multiple times to student protesters including once when they approached his unmarked SUV at a red light and he told them to stay out of the street.

McElree also maintains that he was attempting to protect the head of a 15-year-old girl he alleges assaulted him when they fell to the ground during a tussle and referenced video which he said supports his statement.

“As seen on the video I never clasp my hand together as my right arm was used to protect the female protester I went to the ground with,” McElree said.

Five teens were arrested and charged as juveniles following a violent confrontation with police, including McElree and other officers, according to two police reports obtained by this news organization.

Attorneys representing the teenage defendants also allege their clients were injured in the melee, which they contend was escalated by police, specifically McElree, who was in plain clothes and they say didn’t identify himself before charging into a group of teens who allegedly thought he was a counter-protester.

The supplemental narrative reports dated March 6 were submitted by McElree and Lt. Josh Mallery, who is temporarily overseeing the department while the chief is out on workers compensation leave as a result of injuries sustained during the protest.

They document a timeline of the protests starting on Feb. 10 when police were first notified of a proposed student walkout to protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement tactics through two days after the incident made national news and exposed deep divisions in the Upper Bucks town.

Among the details revealed in the reports:

• Quakertown police and the school district anticipated that students would walk out after a threat of gun violence canceled the on-campus protest, and police kept in place its plan to monitor the event for safety reasons.
• Police intentionally monitored protesters from a distance and included several plain clothed officers, including McElree, using unmarked vehicles to shadow protesters out of concern an obvious police presence would agitate protesters and counter-protesters.
• An adult man who jumped into the fray was not attempting to get McElree off a teenage girl he had on the ground, as implied in a probable cause affidavit, but trying to protect McElree from protesters. The man was initially detained, but later released without charges.
• The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office initially told the department to handle the investigation itself and have an officer who was not allegedly assaulted handle the filing. After a second request Feb. 21, the DA’s office announced county detectives would conduct an investigation into the police response, which is ongoing.

McElree has not spoken publicly or returned requests for comment since Feb. 20.

Four of the teens arrested are awaiting hearings on charges including felony aggravated assault.  A 16-year-old boy had the most serious charges dropped and his case resolved last month.

McElree, 72, who is also borough manager, has faced public backlash over his conduct during the confrontation with protesters with ongoing calls for him to resign or be removed.