Bills to Adjust Washington’s Police Accountability Laws Off to Slow Start in Legislature

Proposals to adjust Washington's new police accountability laws is getting off to a slow start in the state legislature.

A bill to clarify the use of physical force by officers was met with sharp criticism Tuesday in a committee hearing from groups who both favored and opposed the laws when they were originally passed.

Democratic Representative Roger Goodman introduced the new proposals, and he admits they need a lot of work.

"This is an important piece of legislation that's being assailed from all sides, and may not be passable in its current form," said Goodman. "But (I) do want to hear from more testimony. I can't guarantee that, but I do want to hold the public hearing open on this bill beyond today's testimony."

Goodman said the definition of the "use of force" is a key question moving forward with the policing laws.

He said lawmakers are working with the state Attorney General's Office, which has been instructed to come up with model policies for the use of force.

Goodman also said it may not be possible to adjust the policing laws during the time constrained, 60-day legislative session.

During Tuesday's Public hearing in the House Public Safety Committee, which Goodman chairs, groups ranging from police chiefs and sheriffs to the American Civil Liberties Union spoke strongly against HB 1726.

It attempts to clarify the use of force, which was changed under HB 1310, a measure that became law in July.

A number of police chiefs testified Tuesday that the current bill doesn't solve problems they've been dealing with in the new laws.

A representative from the ACLU praised HB 1310 as a breakthrough in police accountability, and said the new proposals would roll back needed changes that were made.

The bill creates a civil standard allowing an officer to use physical force against another person when necessary to protect against criminal conduct, where there is probable cause to make an arrest; effect an arrest; prevent an escape as defined under chapter; or protect against an imminent threat of bodily injury to the officer, another person, or the person against whom force is being used.

It also says deadly force should only be used when necessary to protect against an imminent threat of serious physical injury or death to the officer or another person.

The bill calls for state Attorney General to formulate and publish model policies on law enforcement’s use of force and de-escalation tactics by July 2.

All police agencies would then adopt policies consistent with the AG's proposals by December.