Minneapolis Swears In First Non-U.S. Citizen as Police Officer
SUMMARY
Minneapolis has made history by swearing in Lesly Vera as its first non-U.S. citizen police officer. A legal resident alien originally from Somalia, Vera took her oath while wearing a hijab. Chief Brian O'Hara defended the decision, stating, “There may be people who question it, but that’s completely ridiculous,” highlighting the historical precedent of non-citizens serving in the military. Mayor Jacob Frey (D) expressed pride in the department's diversity, noting that “a police service that looks like our residents is better able to serve our residents.” This change follows new rules by the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training that removed the citizenship requirement for police officers. Critics, including X chief Elon Musk, have raised concerns, likening the situation to the fall of the Roman Empire.
