A bi-partisan bill would formally authorize police officers to serve part-time and departments to adopt flexible work policies, and updates mutual aid and pensions statutes to accommodate the changes.

SB 5424, sponsored by Sens. John Lovick (D–Mill Creek) and Jeff Holy (R–Spokane), both former law enforcement officers, removes references to “full time” from the relevant definitions of “officers” in the Mutual Aid Peace Officer's Powers Act and the LEOFF retirement system, allowing part-time officers to participate in LEOFF 2 and exercise full mutual aid powers. It also allows law enforcement agencies to adopt flexible work policies for police, including policies to allow officers to work less than full time when feasible and use alternative shifts and schedules. Agencies can limit flexible work to officers with certain levels of experience.

The bill had a hearing January 19, with proponents saying it would help increase diversity, retain female officers, and expand hiring pools. Amendments to incorporate retire/rehire and clarify collective bargaining of flexible schedules may come later in session.

There is a House companion, HB 1413, but it has not yet been scheduled for a hearing.

AWC does not see any major issues with this bill. It’s our understanding that city police departments can already adopt flexible work policies for law enforcement through collective bargaining. AWC’s perspective is that the bill’s main change is that part time officers will be allowed to participate in the LEOFF 2 retirement system and in mutual aid between jurisdictions. During this difficult job market for police officers, this additional flexibility to hire or retain part time officers may help cities fill needed police vacancies.