Bill to Allow Non-Citizens to Become Police Officers Moves Forward

by CC News August 17, 2022

written by CC News August 17, 2022

A bill proposed by Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkley) that would allow for certain non-US Citizens to become police officers has passed the California State Assembly on Monday.

According to Skinner, SB 960 will remove the rule that prevents California law enforcement agencies from hiring non-citizen residents who have full legal work authorization and meet all other requirements to serve as peace officers.

On August 15, the bill passed in a 45-19 vote (16 members did not cast a vote) in the State Assembly. The bill passed the State Senate on April 28 in a 29-8 vote. With the approval, the bill will return to the Senate for a final vote before it could potentially heading to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk for signature.

Skinner took to Twitter:

“Excellent! The CA Assembly today approved my #CALeg #SB960, which will allow noncitizen residents with full work authorization to become police officers in CA. SB 960 now goes back to the Senate Floor” for one final vote.”

According to SB 960:

(1) Existing law establishes the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training within the Department of Justice to perform various functions involving the training of peace officers. Existing law requires peace officers in this state to meet specified minimum standards, including, among other requirements, being at least 18 years of age, being of good moral character, as determined by a thorough background investigation, and being either a citizen of the United States or a permanent resident who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship, except as prescribed.

This bill would provide that those standards shall be interpreted and applied consistent with federal law and regulations, as specified. The bill would remove 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.

Under existing law, the minimum education requirement for peace officers is high school graduation from a public school or other accredited high school, passing an equivalency test or high school proficiency examination, or attaining a 2-year, 4-year, or advanced degree from an accredited institution. Existing law requires accreditation to be from a state or local government educational agency, a regional accrediting association, an accrediting association recognized by the United States Department of Education, or an organization holding full membership in specified organizations, including AdvancED.

This bill would revise the accreditation standards to include an organization holding full membership in Cognia.

The bill was introduced on February 9, 2022.

CC News

Publisher of ContraCosta.news and host of several Podcast Shows focusing on Contra Costa County and State of California.

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