OLYMPIA, Wash. – Lawmakers in Olympia are considering fixes to controversial police reform laws that were passed last year.
The Tacoma News Tribune reports three bills introduced in the House would rework some of the most controversial provisions of the laws.
Whatcom County Sheriff Bill Elfo has spoken out against the new laws, including one that deals with an officer’s ability to detain a person the officer suspects is involved in a crime.
“There’s long standing precedent from the United States Supreme Court that allows law enforcement across the country to temporarily detain people on the standing that’s known as reasonable suspicion,” said Elfo.
But the laws passed last year don’t allow an officer to rely on that intuition.
“Now we’re not able to detain that person any longer,” said Elfo. “Unless we have probable cause to begin with. Which is very difficult to obtain. And under which circumstances is going to result in more criminals not being captured and remaining free.”
Other bills would clarify when officers can legally use force and what type of non-lethal weapons are allowed.
Sponsors of the bills and Democratic leadership acknowledge that reforming the laws won’t be easy.
Republicans have countered with bills that would repeal the laws and expand police powers.