Legislators will consider a bill that removes the number of traffic citations and penalties assessed from a police officer’s performance review, evaluation, assessment, promotion, or assignment.

SB 6316, sponsored by Sen. Jeff Holy (R–Spokane), limits factors that can be considered in reviewing a police officer’s performance. The bill specifically eliminates from consideration:

• The number of citations issued by an officer for traffic infractions; and
• The monetary amount of penalties assessed for the traffic infractions.

This proposal would severely impact a police department’s ability to consider all factors of an officer’s performance. This would be detrimental to provide a complete evaluation of an officer and hamper potential measures like the need for additional training or even discipline. Under the conditions created in this bill, a police department couldn’t consider the number of traffic citations issued by an officer that sought an assignment as a traffic officer, nor could they consider the number of traffic citations issued in a situation where an officer is suspected of inappropriate profiling.

Dates to remember

SB 6316 is scheduled for a public hearing in the Senate Law & Justice Committee at 10 am on Tuesday, January 28. The bill is scheduled for executive session of the same committee at 10 am on Thursday, January 30.