A bill that encompasses several of AWC’s legislative priorities regarding police reform will receive a hearing during the first week of session.
HB 1082, concerning state oversight and accountability of peace & corrections officers, is sponsored by Rep. Roger Goodman (D–Kirkland).
The bill has many components, including advocating for a statewide use of force standard, creating a database of officers fired for misconduct, and adding use of force violations as grounds for an officer to face decertification. These components
align with several AWC legislative priorities.
Additionally, the legislation requires:
- The Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) to grant, deny, suspend, or revoke certification of a peace officer or require remedial training for peace officers and corrections officers. A failure to act on the part of an employing agency does
not preclude action by the CJTC to suspend or revoke an officer’s certification.
- The CJTC to provide for the comprehensive, timely investigation of complaints where necessary to ensure adherence to policy and law, strengthen the integrity and accountability of peace officers and corrections officers, and maintain public trust
and confidence in the state criminal justice system. Additionally, the CJTC must initiate an investigation when an officer is subject to three excessive force complaints in five years.
- Employing agencies to only make a conditional offer of employment once a background check is completed, including inquiring of a local prosecuting authority whether the officer is on an impeachment disclosure list.
- Establishing grounds for mandatory decertification. This includes a finding by a court that an officer has engaged in the use of force which resulted in death or serious injury and that the use of force violated state law, or that an officer has been
found by a court to have witnessed another officer’s use of excessive force, was in a position to intervene, and failed to do so.
- That upon separation of an officer from an employing agency, for any reason, the agency is required to notify the CJTC within 15 days of the separation date. If an officer is terminated or resigns in lieu of termination, the employing agency must
report the reason(s) for the termination, including findings from any investigation.
- That employing agencies must keep all personnel records for officers during the employment of the officer and for ten years thereafter. Records must include all misconduct and equal employment opportunity complaints, progressive discipline records,
written reprimands, supervisor coaching, involuntary transfers, and other disciplinary appeals and litigation records.
The bill would also establish a civil penalty of up to $10,000 for employing agencies failing to timely and accurately report information required by the legislation.
Dates to remember
HB 1082 is scheduled for public hearing in the House Public Safety Committee on Friday, January 15 at 10 am.