Thread by @richsssmith

The WA Senate just passed HB 2037, a significant rollback from last year’s police accountability legislation. The version they passed allows cops to use force when someone walks away from a cop during a Terry stop #waleg

Background:
thestranger.com/slog/2022/02/0…

If the governor signs the bill, which he very likely will, then officers with little more than a hunch that you may have committed a low-level crime can use force to stop you from leaving a scene.

As I mentioned in the piece linked above, in committee, families of victims of police brutality and criminal justice advocates told stories of how this sort of policy opens the door for physical force to become deadly force.

The bill passed 32-16, with overwhelming support from Democrats, including Sens. Billig, Carlyle, Cleveland, Conway, Keiser, Lovick, Mullet, Randall, Rolfes, Salomon, Van De Wege

None of those brave senators explained their votes on the floor, but I don't think political fear of the GOP slamming Dems on crime motivated a lot of them. Mullett, Van De Wege, Billig, Rolfes, aren't even up for reelection next year. Carlyle is retiring.

And of course, the GOP is going to call them "the party of crime" no matter how they vote. No real reason vote for this bill unless you think it's fine to allow cops to hit someone even if they didn't hear a cop's order to stop

Annnnd now the House is debating SB 5919. This bill has changed since I wrote about it. Now, it expands a cop's ability to engage in vehicular pursuits.
app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?Bi…

Before, cops needed probable cause and authorization from a supervisor (who would likely have a cooler head) to initiate a vehicular pursuit. This bill reduces that threshold for violent crimes (and nonviolent sex crimes) to reasonable suspicion (i.e. more than a hunch).

The bill also says cops don't need authorization from a supervisor (they just need to "notify" the supervisor), and they can pursue even if the threat isn't "imminent" -- so, if they think a person in a car maybe committed a violent crime three weeks ago, they can chase after.

Vehicular pursuits are dangerous; after shootings, they're the second leading cause of police killings.
slate.com/news-and-polit…

In another major blow to police accountability in Washington, the bill passes 86 to 12. Plenty of support from Democrats to dramatically expand vehicle pursuits. Deadly stuff.