The King County Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD) finds itself embroiled in controversy after acknowledging the employment of nearly three dozen illegal migrants as corrections officers, in direct contravention of state law.
This revelation has sparked a commitment from the department to challenge the very law it has violated, raising questions about the integrity of the hiring process and adherence to legal standards.
In a statement provided to The Jason Rantz Show, DAJD asserted, "All are fully trained as corrections officers and authorized to work in the United States. King County is committed to safety and the fair treatment of these officers and continues to work closely with the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC). We are keeping all available avenues of relief open at this time."
This declaration underscores the department's determination to support its current workforce, despite the legal infractions involved.
As reported by Breitbart, the controversy erupted following a whistleblower's complaint, which alleged that the department had employed up to 100 illegal aliens, thereby breaching the Revised Code of Washington 43.101.095. This statute mandates that only legal U.S. citizens are eligible for employment as corrections officers.
However, the law does permit the hiring of "lawful permanent residents [and] individuals covered" under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, as noted by Jason Rantz of KTTH AM radio.
The DAJD has openly acknowledged the hiring of 38 individuals who were "incorrectly certified as meeting the conditions of RCW 43.101.095(2)(b)(v)," yet it remains steadfast in its refusal to terminate these employees. Instead, the department appears ready to contest the state law, aiming to retain the individuals in question. The department characterized the breach of hiring laws as an oversight, maintaining that the corrections officers in question will continue their duties for the time being.
"To ensure the integrity of jail operations and the safety of our staff and those in our custody, most of the officers continue to work their assigned shifts while we have ongoing conversations with the CJTC about next steps," the department stated. "All officers who continue to perform duties have completed full training through the CJTC." This stance highlights the department's focus on operational stability and safety, despite the legal challenges it faces.
In a bid to address the legal discrepancies, the DAJD is reportedly collaborating with the Washington State Attorney Generals Office to amend hiring laws, potentially seeking retroactive approval for its illegal hires. However, the department has yet to disclose the exact number of illegal aliens it employs, and there appears to be no intention to release this information to the public.
The ramifications of this hiring scandal extend beyond the DAJD. Following the whistleblower's complaint, the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC) took decisive action by dismissing four recently accepted illegal aliens who had been recruited into the corrections officer training academy.
This development underscores the broader implications of the DAJD's hiring practices and the need for stringent adherence to legal standards in public service employment.
Login