The Minneapolis Police Department has sworn in its first non-citizen officer.
Lesly Vera was one of over 20 new officers sworn in recently. She hails from Mexico, but has resided in the US since she was four.
Vera’s appointment to Minneapolis PD was made possible by a recent change in the law, which allows permanent residents who are not citizens to become part of the police force.
“There may be people who question it, but that’s completely ridiculous. There’s like I mentioned, there is a history in this country of people immediately on arrival to the country, enlisting in the military and serving,” said Police Chief Brian O’Hara.
Vera previously served as a Community Service Officer before the law change in 2023.
Among the new recruits with Vera was also the force’s first female Somali officer, Ikran Mohamed, 23.
“I want to be a role model for girls who look like me, so they can say ‘I can do it, too,’” Mohamed, told reporters.
“I’m just very excited to be here and represent my people and my community.”
The police department adopted a new policy on hijabs and headscarves last year, in the hope that it would attract applicants from a wider variety of backgrounds. The policy requires that any head covering must not interfere with the use of police equipment, such as helmets or gas masks.
