Signed by Governor Jay Inslee

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends police use of deadly force regulations, among other provisions.

Highlights:

• Specifies that peace officers cannot be held criminally liable for using deadly force in good faith (Sec. 3).

• Defines “good faith” as an objective standard by which it may be determined if a reasonable officer in a similar situation would have believed that deadly force was necessary (Sec. 3).

• Requires the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, in its rule making relating to this act, to seek input from various law enforcement associations including at least one association representing law enforcement from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds, such as the Black Law Enforcement Association of Washington (Sec. 4).

• Requires an independent investigation when police use of deadly force results in death or serious bodily harm (Sec. 5).

• Requires the Criminal Justice Training Commission adopt rules defining and establishing criteria for independent investigations (Sec. 5).

• Requires the state to reimburse officers charged and found not guilty of a crime resulting from use of deadly force for legal expenses (Sec. 7).

• Requires law enforcement agencies to report to the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs whenever police use of deadly force results in the death or injury of a member of an Indian tribe (Sec. 6).

• Requires the Criminal Justice Training Commission to develop rules and training procedures which balance the duties of police with the requirement to administer first aid to individuals injured in settings controlled by law enforcement (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends police use of deadly force regulations, among other provisions.

Highlights:

• Specifies that peace officers cannot be held criminally liable for using deadly force in good faith (Sec. 3).

• Defines “good faith” as an objective standard by which it may be determined if a reasonable officer in a similar situation would have believed that deadly force was necessary (Sec. 3).

• Requires the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, in its rule making relating to this act, to seek input from various law enforcement associations including at least one association representing law enforcement from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds, such as the Black Law Enforcement Association of Washington (Sec. 4).

• Requires an independent investigation when police use of deadly force results in death or serious bodily harm (Sec. 5).

• Requires the Criminal Justice Training Commission adopt rules defining and establishing criteria for independent investigations (Sec. 5).

• Requires the state to reimburse officers charged and found not guilty of a crime resulting from use of deadly force for legal expenses (Sec. 7).

• Requires law enforcement agencies to report to the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs whenever police use of deadly force results in the death or injury of a member of an Indian tribe (Sec. 6).

• Requires the Criminal Justice Training Commission to develop rules and training procedures which balance the duties of police with the requirement to administer first aid to individuals injured in settings controlled by law enforcement (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text