A bipartisan bill passed in Olympia is attempting to tackle staffing shortages in civil service roles across Washington state, especially law enforcement, where recruitment has reached dangerously low levels.
Senate Bill 6157: A Legislative Milestone
Senate Bill 6157 passed the Washington State Senate on Feb. 7, 2024, and then it passed the House on Feb. 27, 2024. It had strong support in both chambers, passing the Senate with a vote of 46-1 and the House with a vote of 83-11. Gov. Jay Inslee (D) signed it into law on March 28, and it took effect to little fanfare shortly afterward.
Recruitment Of DACA Recipients
The new legislation allows the Seattle Police Department (SPD) to recruit recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) to become police officers. This change is particularly significant given the current unappealing nature of law enforcement careers to potential recruits and the noticeable increase in violent crime, especially homicides, in Seattle.
Dreamers Now Eligible For Public Service
DACA recipients, also known as “Dreamers,” can now apply for jobs as police officers, firefighters and sheriff's deputies in Washington state. They were brought to the United States illegally as children but have been granted temporary protection from deportation and permission to work legally in the U.S.
Previously, the state barred Dreamers from working as public servants due to their immigration status. Now, the floundering SPD is actively pursuing these new recruitment opportunities, heavily encouraging qualified DACA recipients to apply.
Local media reports suggest that the recruiting drive aims to diversify the police force and address the ongoing manpower crisis. As of late 2023, the SPD had only 424 active police officers, its lowest number in decades.
Rising Crime Rates In Seattle
Meanwhile, Seattle has seen a significant rise in its homicide rate recently. In 2023, the city recorded 70 homicides, setting a new record since at least 1979. The increase is part of a broader trend of rising violent crime in Seattle and across Washington state. Between 2019 and 2022, the state experienced a 96% increase in homicides.
Conclusion
Washington joins states like California, Colorado and Illinois in allowing law enforcement agencies to recruit DACA recipients.
Wisconsin and New Jersey are also considering similar legislation.
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