Title
Civil Service Rule III - Application requirements for U.S. Citizenship
Recommended Action
Staff Recommendation:
Move to amend Civil Service Rule III to allow lawful permanent residents the ability to apply to civil service positions in the Olympia Police Department.
Report
Staff Contact:
Joseph Olson, Chief Examiner, Human Resources 360.753.8309
Nicole Camus, Personnel Analyst, Human Resources 360.753.8213
Background
Effective 6/7/18, Senate Bill 6145 adds a "lawful permanent resident" to the civil service statutes as someone who can be employed as a police officer. The law specifies that the applicant must be able to read and write the English language and that the OPD conduct a "background investigation including a check of criminal history, verification of immigrant or citizenship status as either a citizen of the United States of America or a lawful permanent resident".
Homeland Security defines "lawful permanent resident" as:
Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR)
Lawful permanent residents (LPRs), also known as "green card" holders, are non-citizens who are lawfully authorized to live permanently within the United States. LPRs may accept an offer of employment without special restrictions, own property, receive financial assistance at public colleges and universities, and join the Armed Forces. They also may apply to become U.S. citizens if they meet certain eligibility requirements. The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) provides several broad classes of admission for foreign nationals to gain LPR status, the largest of which focuses on admitting immigrants for the purpose of family reunification. Other major categories include economic and humanitarian immigrants, as well as immigrants from countries with relatively low levels of immigration to the United States.
This change does not affect the Fire department, who has accepted Lawful Permanent Residents since 12/20/1988.
Findings:
The Civil Service Commission must amend Civil Se...
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