Civil rights leaders in Bucks County are criticizing the Bucks County District Attorney's decision not to charge Quakertown Police Chief Scott McElree following an incident in which he put a 15-year-old protester in a headlock during a student demonstration earlier this year.

The Bucks County NAACP held a news conference at the Bucks County Courthouse, where leaders said the chief's actions were wrong and called for changes to policies within the Quakertown Police Department.

"The investigation is over, but the questions are not," said Adrienne King, president of the NAACP Bucks County Chapter.

The concerns stem from an altercation in February involving Quakertown police and student protesters demonstrating against ICE enforcement. During the incident, McElree placed a 15-year-old girl in a headlock.

"Students were hurt. Police officers were hurt. Families were affected. Relationships were damaged. And trust was lost," King said.

Earlier this week, following a five-month investigation, the Bucks County District Attorney's Office announced it would not file charges against McElree.

The office said the chief, who was in plainclothes at the time, acted within legal limits regarding the use of force.

The NAACP said it has raised concerns about Quakertown's use-of-force policies for years and met with officials one day before the February incident.

King said the department is not complying with guidelines that other police departments across Bucks County approved in 2020, including a policy restricting chokeholds.

"We are all calling for a renewed county-wide review to determine which departments have fully incorporated those standards and which have not," King said.

Quakertown officials dispute those concerns. The borough said the department is in compliance with standards established by the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission, or PLEAC.

In a statement provided to Action News, the borough said: "As one of only 47 Premier Agencies in Pennsylvania, our Police Department has met 123 rigorous professional standards established by PLEAC."

The Pennsylvania Congressional Black Caucus has also become involved, pledging to pursue legislation restricting the use of chokeholds and to update a database that tracks officers involved in police misconduct.

"Enforcement and public safety can be met with accountability and therefore public trust. Because without the two we end up in chaos," said state Rep. Napoleon Nelson, a Montgomery County Democrat.

Alongside its policy concerns, the NAACP said it is focused on community healing. The organization is partnering with The Peace Center to host "listening circles" aimed at helping residents feel heard.

"It's a chance to build community and have a shared emotional experience," said Barbara Simmons of The Peace Center.

King said the focus now is on preventing similar incidents in the future.

"The question now is what will change here in Bucks County so that we don't find ourselves here again," she said.

Quakertown officials said they have reached out to the NAACP regarding what the borough described as a "misunderstanding" of its policies.

The Bucks County District Attorney's Office also has dropped the most serious charges against the five juveniles who were charged in connection with the February protest.