Once you have a work permit, you have lawful status. You may have entered illegally (which, IMO means you probably shouldn't be allowed a lawful status) or you may have overstayed your visa before, but now, for purposes of employment, you're legal.

Did CA have a law restricting police to citizens and permanent residents? If not, I'm surprised they weren't already hiring 'dreamers'.

In some states, they're already being hired for police, medical, fire, administrative law judges, etc

My views on this have evolved, recently. I didn't have a problem with DACA in the past. I do now.