Updated August 1, 2017

The Joint Legislative Task Force on the Use of Deadly Force in Community Policing completed its work and submitted its final report to the governor and Legislature on December 1, 2016.

Legislative Proposals

The 2017 legislative session convened on January 9. Legislators considered the following proposals related to the work of the Joint Legislative Task Force on the Use of Deadly Force in Community Policing.

  • HB 1000 / SB 5000 – Concerning the use of deadly force by law enforcement and corrections officers.
  • HB 1529 / SB 5073 – Concerning recommendations from the joint legislative task force on the use of deadly force in community policing.
  • HB 1769 – Supporting law enforcement’s efforts to implement the recommendations of the joint legislative task force on the use of deadly force in community policing.

Background

Advocates for police accountability proposed legislation, House Bill 2907, to change state law on the legally permissible uses of deadly force by police officers. Currently, a public officer or peace officer cannot be held criminally liable for using deadly force when it is used without malice and with a good faith belief that the use is permitted under the law.

Although the bill did not pass, the Legislature approved House Bill 2908 in 2016, which established the Joint Legislative Task Force on the Use of Deadly Force in Community Policing. The Task Force submitted a report to the Governor and the appropriate committees of the Legislature on December 1, 2016.

The Task Force reviewed:

  • laws, practices, and training programs regarding the use of deadly force in Washington state and other states;
  • current policies, practices, and tools used by or otherwise available to law enforcement as an alternative to lethal uses of force, including tasers and other nonlethal weapons; and
  • proposals and recommend modifications to the standards for justifiable homicide and criminal liability standards in statute to assure adequate protection for law enforcement and the community.

Joint Legislative Task Force Meetings

Representative Roger Goodman and Senator Kirk Pearson co-chaired the Task Force and its 26 members. Toshiko Hasegawa represented CAPAA, JACL Seattle, and the Asian Pacific Directors Coalition (APDC) on the Task Force. View the full list of Task Force Members and staff.

Community Report Back Meetings Hosted by CAPAA

The purpose of these meetings is to inform community members about the goals of the Task Force, provide a recap of the Task Force meetings, and ensure CAPAA’s representative on the Task Force hears your feedback and concerns.

Dates

  • July 20, 2016 from 5:30 – 7:30 PM (Agenda)
  • August 25, 2016 from 5:30 – 7:30 PM (Agenda)
  • King County: January 4, 2017 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM (Flyer)
  • Pierce County: January 5, 2017 from 6:30 – 8:30 PM (Flyer)

Media