We have updated our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. By accessing or using this Website, you accept and agree to be bound by our Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use.
If you do not agree with our policies, do not access or use our website. Our Privacy Policy explains the types of information we may collect from you or that you may provide,
as well as our practices for collecting, using, maintaining, protecting, and disclosing that information.
Accept

Advocacy


Published on Apr 11, 2023

House passes pursuits bill with amendments

Contact: Candice Bock, Lindsey Hueer, Katherine Walton

After a long debate, late on Monday evening the Washington State House of Representatives passed SB 5352 revising the restrictions on police pursuits.

The House made a few minor changes which will send the bill back to the Senate for concurrence. This means that the Senate will need to vote to concur with the House’s amendment before it can go to the Governor’s desk for signature. If the bill does go to concurrence, the Senate will have until April 23 to act.

The amendment requires a pursuing officer in a jurisdiction with fewer than 15, rather than 10, commissioned officers to request the on-call supervisor, to be notified of the pursuit. This version also requires that emergency vehicle operator training must include training on risk assessment analysis, identifying whether the person being pursued poses a serious risk of harm to others and that the safety risks of failing to apprehend the person are greater than the safety risk of the pursuit.

The current version of SB 5352 authorizes a law enforcement officer to engage in a vehicular pursuit if all the following conditions are met:

  • The officer has ‘reasonable suspicion’ that the driver or a passenger:
    • Has committed or is committing a violent offense, sex offense, or an escape; or
    • Is driving under the influence.
  • The pursuit is necessary to identify or apprehend the person.
  • The person poses an imminent threat to the safety of others.
  • The safety risks of failing to apprehend or identify the person are considered greater than the safety risks associated with engaging in a pursuit.

The bill also modifies the procedures for supervisor involvement, including requiring the officer to receive authorization and oversight from a supervisor (or on-call supervisor in jurisdictions with fewer than fifteen commissioned officers) to engage in a vehicular pursuit. Officers must take emergency vehicle operator training that includes risk analysis.

  • Advocacy
  • Public safety & criminal justice

 

Recent articles


  • Capital budgets released with more mixed news, and work continues on operating budgets

  • Act now: Oppose major diversions from the Public Works Assistance Account

  • Multiple excavators on one ticket issue resolved, for now, as “dig law” bill progresses

  • State Transportation Commission directives, project streamlining practices updated in Senate transportation budget – Contact AWC with your city input

  • Speeding accountability bill sets sights on repeat offenders with assistive technology

  • The Puget Sound Nutrients General Permit is now voluntary

  • Automated vehicle noise enforcement cameras bill targets street racing

  • Bill proposes reforms to the Multifamily Property Tax Exemption authority

  • Senate payroll tax proposal scheduled for hearing

  • ADU self-certification bill passes Legislature

  • Legislature looks at authorizing kit home building code

  • Cities express concerns to Senate about bill to bypass prosecutors

  • Bill to reward decreases in competency orders heard in Senate, set for vote

  • Weapons ban for parks and public buildings advances toward House floor vote

  • Co-response bill picks up new definition for ‘co-response’

  • Show your support for another House bill to revise the property tax cap

  • Prescriptive GMA bill continues through Senate unamended

  • Now is the time to engage on small city police arbitration bill

  • AWC’s preferred approach to impounded vehicles is on the move

  • AWC priority bills to revise the property tax cap take center stage

  • House transportation budget includes cities in proposed gas tax increase—Senate budget does not

  • Clarifying Treasury’s notice on ARPA-SLFRF obligation reporting deadline

  • Sign in to show support for bill on mandatory community custody after gun offenses

  • A bill with a simple cause—ending diaper rash

  • Childcare occupancy bill intends to open more space in churches

  • Parking bill is amended but concerns remain

  • Senate committee to hear public input on House-passed safety bill

  • Social equity cannabis business siting moves across chambers

  • A simple solution to the intent of the Housing Accountability Act

  • Bill to recognize two Islamic holidays continues path through the legislature

  • Personnel records bill slated for hearing in the Senate

  • Cities need to sign in opposed to AI bargaining bill at hearing this week

  • PFML job protections getting attention in Senate labor committee

  • Cities may soon see increase to relocation assistance payments cap

  • City transportation plans may need to begin issuing tribal impact assessments

  • State revenue forecast reduced, increasing risk to city priorities

  • Washington state housing bills update at house of origin cutoff

  • Cities oppose bill undermining grievance settlements

  • Bill to classify speeding 30 mph over the limit as reckless driving passes Senate

  • Bill that changes existing public safety sales tax to councilmanic passes the Senate

  • $100 million grants for police hiring bill fails to advance – Could return down the stretch

  • Washington city officials take on the other Washington

  • Bill to limit roles of law enforcement volunteers dies in House

  • Expanded medical exemptions to drug, paraphernalia prosecutions clears House vote

  • Congress takes debate on federal budget down to the wire

  • Mandatory use of a hearing examiner bill is on fast track in House

  • House committee planning quick action on UI benefits for strikers. Cities need to act fast.

  • City authority to require apprenticeship utilization plans restored in responsible bidder bill

  • Bill aimed at deterring repeat traffic infractions moves through the Legislature

  • Affordable housing construction exempted from prevailing wage bill