WA House passes major piece of police reform legislation
By Terry Murry on Wednesday, March 3rd, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
OLYMPIA – The Washington House of Representatives passed House Bill 1054, which is referred to as a major plank in a sweeping police accountability agenda by the Democrats in the Legislature. The measure underwent some changes before it was approved.
The bill bans the use of holds or restraints that either impede airway or blood flow in a person being arrested. It no longer gives an outright amendment on the use of tear gas. It will now allow it as a last resort during a riot, hostage crisis, or when someone is barricaded presents a clear risk of serious harm.
Before the tear gas can be deployed, officers are required to exhaust other options and then warn of their intention to use tear gas twice. The decision to utilize tear gas would have to be authorized by the chief law enforcement agency of the responding sheriff’s office or police department.
Another amendment also eliminated a blanket ban on the use of dogs to apprehend suspects. Lawmakers decided that that portion of the bill needed further study. The Criminal Justice Training Commission will instead be tasked with forming a work group to develop a model policy on the training and the use of K9 officers. That work group would be comprised of law enforcement representatives, people who have lost loved ones to police violence, representatives of the state’s communities of color, and members of American Indian tribes.
The bill now goes before the Senate for consideration.
