Ad Hoc committee sends ordinance to public hearing to allow permanent residents and DACA recipients to apply for police certification

Chair Joseph Britton opened an April 28 meeting of the Ad Hoc committee to review proposed amendments to Danbury ordinances governing police hiring and certification, saying the changes would align local rules with the state Police Officer Standards and Training Council and expand eligibility to permanent legal residents and DACA recipients.

The committee discussed the policy change at length, focusing on legal status, training, background checks and operational impacts. Police Chief Patrick Ridenhour said the department wants to attract qualified applicants and that "recruitment is a challenge everywhere." He told the committee the state council revised certification rules in 2020 and 2025 to broaden eligibility.

Member Mike Henry pressed for details on DACA status and reapplication requirements; Assistant Corporation Counsel Tracy Norris and Mayor Robert Alves explained that DACA is not the same as permanent residency, that DACA recipients are vetted and typically must reaffirm their status periodically, and that permanent residents hold Green Cards. Human Resources Director Virginia Alosco-Werner told the committee that background checks use social security information and that the police department conducts its own vetting. "If they are following the law then there is no liability," Alosco-Werner said.

The committee also discussed firearm-carry rules for applicants. Chief Ridenhour confirmed that, under current rules, a DACA-recipient officer would be permitted to carry a handgun while on duty but that officers are not required to carry while off duty. Ex officio member Ben Chianese noted that there have been no new DACA recipients accepted after 2021 and suggested the pool of new applicants may include more permanent residents than DACA holders. Assistant Corporation Counsel Norris cautioned that a future adverse U.S. Supreme Court ruling on DACA could affect the status of hired DACA recipients.

Several committee members sought assurance that the changes would not alter core hiring and operational practices; Chief Ridenhour and HR Director Alosco-Werner both said routine canvassing, standards and operational procedures would remain in place. Chair Britton and Mayor Alves voiced support for sending the amendments forward, with Mayor Alves saying the changes "allow for more good people to apply" and noting DACA recipients already serve in other municipal roles such as firefighters.

Member Ryan Hawley moved, and Member Mike Henry seconded, to send the recommended ordinance as presented to a public hearing; the motion carried unanimously. The committee then moved to adjourn.