Quick Hit:

The Seattle Police Department is now recruiting DACA recipients to bolster its dwindling ranks, aiming to address a critical shortage of officers.

Key Details:

• DACA Integration: Following new state legislation and federal clarifications, Seattle Police update their recruitment policy to include DACA recipients, known as "Dreamers," who entered the U.S. illegally as minors.
• Legislative Changes: Washington's SB 6157, signed into law by Governor Jay Inslee, clears the way for DACA recipients to apply for civil service positions, taking effect last week.
• Staffing Crisis: The Seattle Police Department faces its lowest officer levels since the 1990s, with a significant loss of 725 officers over the past five years.

Diving Deeper:

The city of Seattle is attempting to mitigate its police staffing crisis by recruiting "Dreamers" — individuals protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. This Obama-era initiative offers migrants who illegally entered the U.S. as minors a chance to defer deportation and legally work in the country.

Historically, stringent requirements barred DACA recipients from law enforcement careers due to citizenship and firearm possession regulations. However, recent developments have shifted this landscape. Last year, the U.S. Justice Department, along with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), clarified that DACA recipients could carry firearms and ammunition in line with their duties, paving the way for their inclusion in law enforcement roles.

This move by the Seattle Police Department, announced through their LinkedIn page, comes in response to a critical depletion of its force. A report by KUOW highlighted the severe reduction in staff, with current numbers at their lowest since the 1990s — a dire situation for public safety.

The department's updated qualification guidelines now reflect this inclusive approach. The eligibility criteria list U.S. citizenship, legal permanent residency, or DACA status as potential qualifiers for applicants. This change not only aims to replenish the diminished ranks but also serves as a progressive step towards integrating Dreamers into more aspects of civic duty and public responsibility.

"Occupy Seattle -police 03" by Joe Mabel licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 DEED.