Danbury Council Approves Non-Citizen Police Officers in 18-2 Vote as ICE Raids Spur Backlash
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Sep 4
Danbury Council Approves Non-Citizen Police Officers in 18-2 Vote as ICE Raids Spur Backlash
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 4
Summary
Danbury’s City Council voted 18-2 to let lawful permanent residents and DACA recipients apply to serve as police officers, with only two Republicans opposing the ordinance change.
More than 60 ICE arrests in the area helped drive the move, after raids triggered protests and denunciations from local and state Democratic officials including Mayor Roberto Alves and Governor Ned Lamont.
City officials said the change follows a 2020 Connecticut standards waiver and does not relax hiring rules—applicants still must meet the same background, training, fitness and certification requirements.
Over 30 Connecticut municipalities already use the same standard, and Danbury says the amendment is meant to widen its recruitment pool in a city with a large immigrant population.