Quakertown police chief involved in altercation with students at ICE protest returns to work
The Quakertown police chief involved in an altercation with dozens of high school students during an anti-ICE protest has returned to work, the borough confirmed Thursday.
Scott McElree was placed on workers' compensation leave following the February 2026 incident, where video posted on social media showed him placing a student in a chokehold. McElree was not in his police uniform during the altercation, and witnesses said he never identified himself as a police officer.
In April, a report conducted by the Police Chiefs' Association of Bucks County determined McElree and the Quakertown Police Department's actions were "justified and within police policy."
According to the report, McElree did identify himself and had the lights activated on his unmarked police car. It also said McElree was a victim and suffered multiple injuries, including three fractured ribs and a collapsed lung.
Critics said the report was biased because it was conducted by four nearby police chiefs.
The Bucks County District Attorney's Office said it was doing its own investigation into the police response at the protest, but the DA has yet to release any findings or comment on the matter.
CBS News Philadelphia has repeatedly tried to get in touch with McElree. His attorney has not responded to requests for comment or for more information.
Quakertown Borough Solicitor Peter Nelson said McElree's return to work was announced at Wednesday night's city council meeting. In addition to serving as the police chief, McElree is also back to work as the city manager with "reduced hours as he continues to recover from the injuries he suffered on Feb. 20."
Several teenagers were arrested following the protest and kept in custody for days. Since then, the Quakertown community has continued to call for accountability and an independent, third-party investigation into McElree's conduct.
"He choked a child out on our sidewalks and basically went on workman's comp leave, and the kids faced accountability, fighting felony charges while he got paid to sit at home, abusing his power as borough manager and police chief," Quakertown resident Zachary Koehler said.
Koehler attended Wednesday's meeting and said officials announced McElree's return at the beginning and did not allow any discussion or follow-up.
"It was chiefs of police investigating another chief of police who are considered colleagues and peers," Laura Foster of Upper Bucks United said at an April meeting. "It's a bit of a sham."
Some of the teenagers who were arrested during the protests are still facing charges, though one student had felony charges against her dropped in February. In March, all of the teens had their ankle bracelets removed and were released from house arrest.
Ettore Angelo, an attorney representing one of the teens arrested at the protest, sent CBS News Philadelphia this statement: "This is just one more example of our two systems of justice. There's one system for a vulnerable 15-year-old, child of color — arrested in minutes, incarcerated within hours, jailed for four nights. Then there's the system for the powerful: nearly three months later, DA Khan has not charged the Chief with even disorderly conduct. ... The children get trauma, the chief gets a slap on the back. Power protecting power."
