Danbury council approves ordinance allowing lawful permanent residents and DACA recipients to apply for police

The Danbury City Council voted 18–2 on Sept. 1 to approve amendments to the police department ordinances allowing lawful permanent residents and DACA recipients to apply to become Danbury police officers.

Supporters said the ordinance broadens the recruitment pool and can improve community policing in Danbury’s diverse neighborhoods. “Permanent legal residents are already allowed to carry firearms with a permit,” Danbury Police Chief Patrick Ridenhauer told the council, and he described changes at the Police Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) that permit permanent residents and, more recently, DACA recipients to be certified. Chief Ridenhauer said every applicant will still undergo a “very robust screening process that includes a polygraph, psychological exam, medical and drug screen, and a thorough background check.”

Opponents and some residents asked the council for written legal analysis and operational safeguards. Michelle Coelho said the council should “show us how it will strengthen public safety and maintain the consistent, reliable service Danbury residents deserve” and pressed for documentation about federal legal authority and departmental policies for interruptions in work authorization. Lorraine Herger asked the council to “document just exactly how you are going to vet these people,” citing concerns about verifying records from countries with weak systems.

Council debate ranged across legal authority, risk and local recruitment needs. Councilwoman (name used in transcript) moved to split the measure into separate votes for permanent residents and DACA recipients; that motion failed. Multiple council members — including those who backed the ordinance — emphasized that POST sets certification standards and the city’s hiring process remains unchanged. Councilman Frank Salvatore urged passage, saying passing the ordinance was “the right thing to do.”

Roll-call voting immediately followed. The legislative assistant recorded the tally as 18 yes and 2 no; Councilmember Coelho and Councilwoman Faye voted no. The council declared the ayes have it and the ordinance passed.

The ordinance text amends sections cited in the meeting materials as 20 through 2230 of the Danbury Police Department ordinances. The council did not specify an effective date in the public discussion; procedural follow-up was not detailed during the meeting.