WASHINGTON, DC – This news occurred on the day when the American government announced the creation of over 209,000 jobs solely in the month of June in the United States. Despite the inflation and the low performance of the stock exchange, the American economy demonstrates a reaction to this generation of jobs.

The D.C. police department announced the employment policy change on June 29, describing it as a step toward “ensuring our agency is representative of the community it serves.”

This update to eligibility criteria was made in the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Act of 2022, which took effect in April. Previously, only U.S. citizens could be considered for officer positions with D.C. police.

“This step marks a significant milestone in our journey, as we look forward to welcoming a more diverse pool of applicants,” Interim Chief of Police Ashan Benedict said in a news release.

The decision comes at a time of staffing shortages among District police. In February, police officials told members of the D.C. Council the department was nearing a record-low number of 3,400 officers on the force.

D.C. government has been pushing to build up the ranks — aiming for 4,200 officers over the next decade — with initiatives like a $25,000 hiring bonus, announced in April. With that bonus, a D.C. police officer could earn over $80,000 in their first year, according to the news release.

“This movement in the economy was already anticipated due to governmental robustness. The United States continues to lead trade relations, even in the post-pandemic period, attracting skilled labor to meet the demand for growth in productive and technological sectors,” states Miguel Risch from The Risch Law Firm.