GREEN BAY, Wis. (SPECTRUM NEWS) — A Green Bay man hasn't given up his fight to become a police officer despite a state law that says he can't.
Jose De Rio, 21, has been a part of the Green Bay Police Department in some form or fashion over the last five years, according to Chief Andrew Smith. First Del Rio joined the department's explorers program. At one point, he led the unit.
Smith said later Del Rio became a community service officer. Del Rio currently serves in that role while at the same time responding to calls as an intern for Animal Control.
He said he can't imagine doing anything other than serving his community.
"I grew up here," Del Rio said. "This is the community I know. This is where my roots are coming from."
Del Rio said his ultimate dream is to become a sworn member of the department and patrol his city's streets.
Chief Smith said he'd love to hire him.
"I think he'd be the ideal police officer candidate and yet I can't hire him because of this law in Wisconsin," Smith said.
Smith referred to the Wisconsin law that lays out the requirements to become an officer for a municipality or county. The law states one must be a U.S. citizen to serve as a sworn officer.
The rules do not apply for the Wisconsin State Patrol.
While Del Rio has only known Green Bay to be his home, he cannot serve as an officer because he is not a U.S. citizen.
Del Rio is a "dreamer," a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient. He said he was born in Jalisco, Mexico. His parents brought him to Green Bay when he was 2-years-old.
"I want to be here like everybody else, to raise the community, to work hard, and to continue with my dreams and help everyone out," Del Rio said.
Smith said he finds the law frustrating.
"For some reason [...] you have to be a naturalized citizen to be a police officer for a municipal agency or for the county, but you could be a state patrol officer if you're not a naturalized citizen," Smith said. "Why they make that distinction, I have no idea, but it just doesn't make sense."
Smith said he's gathered support from state lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to change the law and allow DACA recipients who otherwise qualify to serve as police officers throughout the state.
State Sen. Andre Jacque, R-De Pere, said he's on board with changing the law to allow people like Del Rio to serve as officers.
"I think a lot of folks would be really happy to have somebody like Jose with his qualifications in there," Jacque said.
Jacque said he's a proud conservative, but doesn't feel Del Rio's situation should be viewed under the scope of the immigration debate. He said he sees the issue as a technical one the legislature can address.
"There's certainly a chance that we can get things done," Jacque said. "I just hope that we have the political will to look beyond the squabbles that otherwise can get in the way."
Lt. Jody Buth said he hopes lawmakers will make the change. He's in charge of recruiting for the department. He knows first-hand how difficult it can be to bring diversity to a department in the current social climate. He said hiring Jose would help reach that goal.
"Jose is exactly what every organization in the state of Wisconsin is looking for in the law enforcement officer as a young recruit coming into an organization with that passion," Buth said.
Buth said his department is in a unique position to change its makeup. Several officers have retired, and Buth believes that creates enough open positions to allow the department to reflect the community it serves.
"This is a once in a 25 to 30 year opportunity to diversify this organization and allow us to get the right people in the right places," Buth said.
Smith said he is aware of a handful of other DACA recipients who desire to serve as officers or deputies in Brown County.
"There is no time better to change this law and open it up to these young kids than there is right now," said Smith.
Del Rio said he realizes his dream may have to be put on the back burner. He said that doesn't mean he's giving up.
"I always said with struggle comes strength," Del Rio said. "Anytime I struggle I just have to push harder."
He said he's working through the process of becoming a state trooper. His hope now is to wear their uniform until he serve in his hometown. He said he owes it to himself and his parents to see his dreams come to fruition.
“There’s no falling back for me [...] my parents already came here," he said. "They did the struggle to come here and bring me here. I’m here to complete an American dream just like anybody else.”