DACA recipients may soon be able to serve in law enforcement in Washington with the passage of SB 6157. The bill was modified slightly in the House and now awaits concurrence by the Senate.
AWC supports SB 6157 to ensure cities can recruit and retain police officers that reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. This bill would not only allow DACA recipients to be eligible for law enforcement positions, but would also provide increased application examination scores for individuals who are multilingual or have other valuable education and work experience.
The bill does not alter existing background check requirements; it simply allows a DACA recipient who is otherwise eligible to move forward.
Bill allowing DACA recipients to serve in law enforcement passes Senate
February 9, 2024
AWC is supportive of SB 6157, which would allow DACA recipients to serve as law enforcement officers in the state. The bill would also prioritize and support law enforcement applicants that are multilingual.
Washington is experiencing a work shortage and has a need for bilingual and multilingual law enforcement applicants. It is a significant priority for cities right now to increase the number of law enforcement officers, and more importantly for the police force to fully represent the diverse communities that they serve. The bill does not alter existing background check requirements; it simply allows a DACA recipient who is otherwise eligible to move forward. There have been cities that have gone through the initial stages of the hiring process with interested candidates but had to stop due to their DACA status. This costs the state nothing but sending a strong message about the type of law enforcement departments we are trying to build.
The bill recently passed nearly unanimously from the Senate and is scheduled for a hearing in the House committee.
Dates to remember
SB 6157 is scheduled for a public hearing in the House State Government & Tribal Relations Committee February 14 at 1:30 pm.
DACA civil service bill scheduled for a vote
January 26, 2024
SB 6157 is scheduled for a vote in the Senate State Government & Elections Committee on January 30. The bill would expand civil service eligibility to DACA recipients and allow those individuals to serve in law enforcement. AWC is supportive of this bill.
Dates to remember
SB 6157 is scheduled for a vote in the Senate State Government & Elections Committee on January 30 at 1:30 pm.
‘Dreamers’ would be eligible for civil service under new bill
January 21, 2024
SB 6157, sponsored by Sen. John Lovick (D–Mill Creek), would expand civil service eligibility to DACA recipients. The bill grants authority of all peace officers to carry firearm, including lawful permanent residents or DACA recipients employed as peace officers and amends firearm possession criminal statutes to reflect changes permitting permanent residents and DACA recipients hired as police to carry firearms. The bill also encourages multi-lingual applicants by allowing a maximum of 15% be added to a passing mark for applicants that speak languages other than English.
A few states have adopted laws allowing DACA recipients to become police officers. Colorado has adopted a law that allows every law enforcement agency to amend its written firearms policy to allow an eligible immigrant to possess a firearm, so long as the firearms policy complies with federal requirements. California’s law removes the provision that requires peace officers to either be a citizen of the United States or be a permanent resident who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship and would instead require peace officers be legally authorized to work in the United States, and make conforming changes. Illinois also passed a law expanding eligibility requirements to be law enforcement officers.
AWC wants to hear from you! Email Lindsey Hueer with your feedback on this bill.
Dates to remember
SB 6157 is scheduled for a public hearing in the Senate State Government & Elections Committee on January 26 at 8 am.