City of North Las Vegas Proposes Inclusive Recruiting Legislation
Assembly Bill 30 Aims to Advance Diversity and Add Police Officers
The City of North Las Vegas is sponsoring State Assembly Bill 30 (AB30) at the 82nd Nevada Legislative Session (2023) to increase the pool of eligible police recruits in Nevada, address the dire need for law enforcement officers across jurisdictions and open sustainable career pathways for those legally authorized to work in the United States (U.S.).
AB30 removes the requirement to be a U.S. Citizen to become a police officer in the State of Nevada and allows any individual who is legally authorized to work in the United States to become a peace officer. AB30 not only helps law enforcement agencies with recruitment efforts, but also aims to further diversify police forces in order to better reflect the unique communities they serve. Read the full bill draft at www.leg.state.nv.us.
“Serving our diverse residents has long been a priority for the City of North Las Vegas and we are proud to sponsor AB30 for the 2023 Legislative Session,” said City of North Las Vegas Government Affairs and Economic Development Director Jared Luke. “This bill draft is modeled after successful case studies across the region, and is both a springboard to sustainable careers and bright futures for legally authorized immigrants as well as an innovative solution to the heightening recruitment issues facing
law enforcement agencies today.”
A 2021 Police Executive Research Forum national survey found that police departments around the country were only filling 93% of available budgeted positions on average, leaving numerous vacancies and unmet needs across the country. The survey also reported a 45% increase in retirements and an 18% increase in resignations over the previous year. Nevada is facing similar issues and continues to struggle with police recruiting across jurisdictional boundaries.
According to the Department of Homeland Security Office of Immigration Statistics, there are approximately 140,000 legal permanent-residents in Nevada who could potentially apply as a result of the drafted legislation. Additionally, the American Immigration Council reports 12,000 DACA recipients who would also be eligible to apply for consideration as local peace officers in the state. AB30 would open the pathway to law enforcement employment to this additional candidate pool without lowering any of the already extensive qualifications or requirements to become a peace officer vetted by each individual agency.
Luke added “We allow legal immigrants to serve this nation in our military. We allow our children to participate in the local Police Explorers Program and develop a desire to serve … It just makes sense to allow the same individuals —those who want to protect and serve— to have the ability to do so if they meet the qualifications and the community is in need.”
The City of North Las Vegas is one of the largest minority-majority cities in America and celebrates diversity via both programming and policy. The City recently welcomed Pamela Goynes-Brown (longtime City Councilwoman) as the first black Mayor to serve the city and in all of Nevada; announced the Dolores Huerta Community Resource Center taking shape this year to serve its diverse populations; and was the first municipality in the state to formally recognize Juneteenth as an official city holiday. The City of North Las Vegas currently has an additional bill at the State Legislature (AB31) proposing to make Juneteenth a State Holiday as well.
“The City of North Las Vegas continues to work diligently to bring equity to all aspects of government, advocate and prioritize our diverse residents and community needs… including safety and inclusion. And that’s exactly what we are attempting to do via our proposed legislation this year,” said Luke.
For more information on all of these efforts and more, visit www.cityofnorthlasvegas.com.