One proposal allows the state auditor to conduct reviews of law enforcement agencies, while another requires law enforcement agencies to submit quarterly reports.
HB 1089, sponsored by Rep. Bill Ramos (D–Issaquah) and Rep. Roger Goodman (D–Kirkland), gives the state auditor the authority to conduct audits of a law enforcement agency at the conclusion of any deadly force investigation.
The purpose of the audit would be to determine if actions taken by the law enforcement agency, legislative body, and prosecutor’s office followed current rules and procedures related to independent investigations. Additionally, the state auditor
would be authorized to audit an agency to ensure that all officers employed by the agency comply with all state laws, policies, and procedures.
HB 1092 is legislation sponsored by Rep. John Lovick (D–Mill Creek) and Rep. Roger Goodman (D–Kirkland) at the request of the Attorney General’s Office. The bill requires law enforcement agencies to submit quarterly data on incidents
including:
- Fatalities of a person connected to the use of force by a law enforcement officer;
- Bodily harm of a person connected to the use of force by a law enforcement officer; and
- The use of firearms, chokeholds, taser, tear gas, canine, vehicle or other tools while in the line of duty.
Agencies are required to report information such as the date, time, and location of the incident as well as demographic information of the individual and the officer. Information collected as part of these reporting requirements will be made publicly
available via a state website.
Dates to remember
Both HB 1089 and HB 1092 are scheduled for public hearing in the House Public Safety Committee at 1:30 pm on Thursday, January 14.