No criminal charges will be brought against Quakertown’s police chief or any other officer involved in the confrontation between anti-ICE protesters and police on Feb. 20, 2026, the Bucks County District Attorney announced on Monday. The Feb. 20 incident involving police officers and anti-ICE protesters who were students who walked out of Quakertown Community High School had divided the town. Videos on social media showed the scuffle, which included Quakertown Police Chief Scott McElree jumping into an altercation with demonstrators while in plain clothes. McElree has faced calls to resign from members of the community, and the report released by the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office Monday criticized McElree’s actions as well, saying, “While McElree had the legal authority to use the force he employed, his ill-advised decision to do so was the precipitating incident which led to violence outside of Sunday’s Deli.” “Given the availability of subordinate officers who were in uniform and wearing body cameras, there was no reason for the Chief of Police to engage high school students in an uncontrolled and emotionally charged environment – especially when he had neither a uniform nor a body camera,” the report continue. “Charging after a juvenile without waiting for uniformed officers or even communicating his intentions to his direct reports does not reflect professionalism, coordination or appropriate supervision by the Chief of Police. Although McElree was legally authorized to use force, his decision to do so in the manner he chose was not a measured tactical approach that balanced public safety with First Amendment rights. It was a calamitous decision that disrupted a student protest and led to confusion and trauma for an entire community.”  The report also noted that the Quakertown Police Department is the only department in Bucks County that has not adopted policies to reflect the Police Chiefs’ Best Practice Standard, which include “a restriction on techniques intended to cut off the flow of oxygen.” The report noted that McElree held his arm around a juvenile’s neck, but stated that the move did not meet the standard for criminal charges. The report recommended “that Chief McElree immediately provide a timeline for fully adopting the standardized use-of-force reforms that most of Bucks County’s police departments implemented years ago.” “Qukaertown 5” The D.A.’s report also said that they denied the Quakertown Police Department’s request to charge more juveniles in the incident, but it said that “a few students assaulted police officers in uniform and assaulted McElree even after it should have become evident that he was with the QPD.” Bucks County Jun 15 ‘Quakertown 5' teens to undergo diversionary programs to resolve case, DA says Pennsylvania May 8 Report reveals police chief won't be disciplined after ‘Quakertown 5' fallout Pennsylvania Apr 27 ‘Quakertown 5' fallout sparks protest at borough meeting Five teenagers who were arrested during the protest and charged with aggravated assault have all reached deals with the D.A.’s office to undergo diversionary programs to resolve their cases stemming from the incident, prosecutors announced in June. All five of the teens will have the opportunity to have the incidents expunged from their record, prosecutors said. What happened during the Quakertown ICE protest clash At least five teenagers were arrested after students and police clashed during an anti-ICE protest in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, on Feb. 20, 2026, investigators said. Officials with the Quakertown Community School District said they canceled a planned student walkout after receiving a report about potential safety concerns. Despite this, around 35 Quakertown Community High School students still participated in the protest and walked out of class, according to officials. Quakertown police responded to 5th and Broad streets in Quakertown around 11:35 a.m. as the students marched in the area. Police said they warned the students to stay out of traffic. As the protest reached East Broad Street, some of the students began throwing snowballs at vehicles, kicking cars and damaging property, according to police. Police said they warned the protesters to remain civil at that point. The protest then continued to Front and Juniper streets where the students blocked traffic and jumped in front of vehicles, police said. More officers were called to the scene and the students clashed with police, according to investigators. Videos circulating on social media showed confrontations between the students and police officers. Another video showed a student being led away in handcuffs. Another cellphone video shared with NBC10 shows a man in a brown shirt – identified as Quakertown’s police chief – in a fight while being surrounded by students. The video also shows a second officer bringing someone to the ground. Police said five teenagers and one adult were taken into custody.  Fallout after Quakertown ICE protest clash On April 16, the Quakertown solicitor released their four recommendations to law enforcement after the incident. That finding has sparked further backlash with community members raising concerns about the transparency and independence of the investigation. Then, a few weeks later on May 8, Quakertown borough broke its silence and said that Chief McElree and the officers involved will not be disciplined. This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser. ...read more read less