嘿嘿视频

State Law Expands Eligibility for Peace Officers

嘿嘿视频 Police Chief Plans to Add Recruits

News
Joe Farrow sitting at his desk.
Joe Farrow, chief of the 嘿嘿视频 Police Department, was instrumental in the creation of a new law to allow anyone legally authorized to work in the United States to become a police officer in California. (Karin Higgins/嘿嘿视频)

A new state law championed by Police Chief Joe Farrow will allow anyone who is legally authorized to work in the United States to become a peace officer in California, regardless of citizenship status, starting Jan. 1.

Previously, police officers had to be either U.S. citizens or permanent residents in the process of applying for citizenship.

鈥淧eople who are in this country with a federal right to work 鈥 regardless of how they got here 鈥  they can do any job. They can be attorneys, firefighters, join the military, but they can鈥檛 be police officers in California,鈥 Farrow said. 鈥淲hy hold people back? This was the question that deserved some debate.鈥 

Farrow became aware of the issue after joining 嘿嘿视频 in 2018.  As part of efforts to increase diversity, the 嘿嘿视频 police department recruits new officers from graduating seniors in its cadet academy.

鈥淚 noticed kids who were really distinguishing themselves in our academy, but they weren鈥檛 eligible to be peace officers,鈥 Farrow said. With support from UC President Michael Drake and Chancellor Gary S. May, Farrow began working toward a bill.

Applicants ready

Guided by state Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), Senate Bill 960 easily passed every hearing and vote, and was .

鈥淎ll it says is that to become a peace officer in California, you need to have a legal right to work here,鈥 Farrow said. 鈥淎ll the background checks, all the checks and balances remain the same.鈥

Farrow said he already has applicants in line for jobs as 嘿嘿视频 police officers and hopes to make at least one hire in the new year. It鈥檚 part of the department鈥檚 goal of becoming more diverse and reflective of the community.

鈥淲e need to bring in people from marginalized groups and allow them to fulfil their dreams,鈥 Farrow said. 鈥淭his bill reminds us that universities are a place where people learn and effect change. Passage of SB 960 is a great example of people identifying an issue, having a public debate resulting in a change in the law that positively effects members of our community.鈥

.

Media Resources

Media Contact

  • Andy Fell, News and Media Relations, 530-304-8888, ahfell@ucdavis.edu

Primary Category

Secondary Categories

University

Tags