RESTORE PUBLIC SAFETY
People feel unsafe in their communities as crime, drug use and mental illness soar
Democrat fixes for last year’s anti-police bills don’t go far enough
Latest update after the 2022 Legislative Session
The only bills from “Safe Washington” to survive the Democratic majority:
Senate Bill 5245 – Expanding the program to notify victims when offenders are released (Brown)
Senate Bill 5612 – Ensuring domestic violence victims are able to make a statement during the sentencing of their attackers (Wilson, L)
House Bill 1571 – Providing protections and services for indigenous people who are missing, murdered or victims of human trafficking (Mosbrucker)
During the 2021 legislative session, the majority dropped the ball on public safety. It removed critical tools from police, reduced punishment for criminals, missed opportunities to protect the public from repeat DUI offenders, and flat-out surrendered on the war on drugs.
The impacts of those decisions on the lives of Washingtonians were devastating and immediate. Violent gang- and drug-related crimes are on the rise, as property crimes are impacting families and businesses alike. Instead of criminals being handcuffed, it is members of law enforcement who are hindered from doing their job. Even after receiving pushback from the public, the majority was back at it again this year, introducing new measures to reduce the punishment for drive-by shootings a and impaired drivers.
To address these critical issues, Washington’s House and Senate Republicans unveiled a package of common-sense solutions to the public-safety crisis ravaging communities and destroying lives across the state.
Unfortunately, the majority dropped the ball again this session, failing to act on many key components of the Safe Washington plan.
Out of the 47 bills in our Safe Washington package, only 3 are going to become law. The majority has shown a lack of resolve to fix many of last year’s mistakes through inaction on many important public-safety bills this year. There were some improvements made in three areas: use of force, detaining because of mental health and the removal of the prohibition on the use of non-lethal items like “bean bags.”
Pot-shop protection bill fails to clear Democrat-controlled House
In the days since the end of the session, the news statewide has been filled with stories about armed robberies at cannabis retailers, including some that resulted in deaths. Unfortunately, I predicted this would be the case when Democrats failed to act on my bill to address this issue.
Senate Bill 5927 would have added a year to the prison sentence of someone convicted of first- or second-degree robbery of a cannabis retail outlet. It’s the same extended sentence that goes with the robbery of a pharmacy and would be applied to robberies of cannabis retailers when the crime is planned and carried out by two or more people.
Due to federal banking rules, these businesses are almost entirely cash-only operations, making them a target for robberies and a magnet for criminals. The number of robberies of cannabis stores is on the rise, and this bill would have benefited not just the retailers but the community as a whole.
Majority blocks bills to help address fentanyl crisis
According to the state Department of Health, opioid overdose deaths in Washington rose from 2013 through 2020, driven by heroin deaths, and more recently, fentanyl deaths. Deaths involving fentanyl and other synthetic opioids are now more common than those involving heroin, with the highest death rates and largest increases being seen in rural counties, such as Yakima and Klickitat.
To address this crisis, I introduced two bills this session. Senate Bill 5509 would have excluded fentanyl-testing equipment from the definition of “drug paraphernalia.” Because a single dose of the deadly substance can kill a user, testing can save lives. Senate Bill 5524 would have imposed a life sentence for those convicted of committing a controlled-substances homicide involving fentanyl-laced drugs.
Our testing-strip bill passed the Senate unanimously, but never even received a hearing from the House Public Safety Committee. Our bill increasing the penalty for those convicted of committing homicide with fentanyl-laced drugs was completely ignored by the Senate majority.
Democrats run out the clock on bipartisan pursuit bill
In addition, the majority also ran out the clock on ESB 5919 – Concerning the definition of “physical force,” “necessary,” and “totality of the circumstances,” and the standard for law enforcement authority to use physical force and providing the authority for a peace officer to engage in a vehicular pursuit when there is reasonable suspicion a person has violated the law and the officer follows appropriate safety standards. (Van De Wege) This compromise legislation would have improved the standards for police pursuit, making it easier for law enforcement to do its job.
As reported by RaeLynn Ricarte at The Center Square:
Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich blasted Sen. Majority Leader Andy Billig for failing to move the bill, which would have restored most police pursuits.
“Bottom line, it was Sen. Billig who had the power to put that bill on the floor,” he said. “We knew we had the votes lined up – all it had to do was hit the floor.”
“SB 5919 had been approved by the House on March 4. The Senate, which passed the original version, needed to concur with several amendments made by the House and then the legislation could have been signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee.
Three attempts by Republicans to bring the measure to the Senate floor on the final day of session were rebuffed.
The end result of Billig’s inaction, said Knezovich, is that 2021 restrictions placed on police pursuits remain in place, so it is “Independence Day” for criminals.
“The criminals know the law and they know they don’t have to stop,” he said.
An excerpt from a post-session Shift interview with Senate Republican Leader John Braun
The Democrats failed to keep their promise to fix the many flaws within their disastrous 2021 anti-police reform bill. Specifically, Democrats failed to repair the laws regarding police pursuit which criminals have used to avoid being detained. What repairs do you believe still need to be done to the Democrats’ “police reform” package?
One of the mistakes Democrats made in 2021 was addressed in a minimal way, with the passage of House Bill 2037. This will provide clarity about officers’ use of force, and it’s going to the governor only because Republicans provided the votes needed to pass it in the Senate. Only 11 of the 28 Senate-majority members supported the bill.
What happened to the pursuit bill shows just how soft the Democrats are when it comes to public safety. Senate Bill 5919 passed in the Senate with our 21 votes and support from 10 Democrats. That was with a month left in the session. With less than a week to go, the House majority stripped out the better language we’d put in, and sent it back with an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote. We would have supported the weaker version. Instead, the hard-left Democrats in the Senate blocked every attempt to take a vote, and let the bill die with hours left to go in the session. How does enabling criminals to avoid capture make the public safer?
The pursuit law isn’t the only thing still needing fixed. Washington ranks dead last in the number of law-enforcement officers per capita, so Republicans filed legislation to help communities hire more officers. Sure enough, the majority kept SB 5841 bottled up. Look for these to be on our agenda in 2023.
UPDATE:
In a joint effort with House Republicans, Senate Republicans rolled out a package of legislation designed to fix many of the wrongs that have resulted from the Democrats’ anti-police bills and others that threaten your public safety.
Find out more about SAFE WASHINGTON.
Recent articles:
-
Moses Lake Police Department supports bill on reasonable suspicion, use of force (Columbia Basin Herald) Jan. 31, 2022
-
Washington police reform bill backfired on people in crisis (AP/FOX 13) Jan. 30, 2022
-
Bellingham security patrols add ‘eyes on the street’ in advance of new programs (The Bellingham Herald) Jan. 30, 2022
-
Reforming police reform among several legislative fixes of fixes sought during ’22 WA House Session (KOHO Radio) Jan. 28, 2022
With a fervor fed by nationwide protests, the majority in the Washington State Legislature pushed a police reform agenda that is proving to be unworkable and dangerous. Law enforcement agencies across the state have spoken out recently to shed light on how the new laws are making protecting the public difficult and, in some cases, impossible.
Our communities are at risk and Washingtonians are only now realizing what the Senate Republican Caucus has been saying throughout 2020: Majority Democrat policies are jeopardizing your safety.
To learn more, follow the links below to read the legislation, watch floor speeches where members of the Senate Republican caucus argue against the bills, listen to audio clips and read articles and opinion pieces appearing in recent news sources.
For more clarification on what the new laws mean, read the following resource from local law enforcement:
Eatonville Police Department’s report on legislative police reform
Read what our constituents are saying.
Read joint Republican leadership statements:
Released Aug. 11, 2021:
Republican leaders call for special session to fix confusing, controversial police reform bills
Democrat sponsor of bills admits fixes necessary
Released July 23, 2021:
Wilcox and Braun call on Democrats and governor to fix the problems created by controversial police-related bills
Republicans warned House Bill 1310 and House Bill 1054 would make communities less safe, offered amendments that were rejected
PODCAST: The Elephant in the Dome
The Senate Republican leader is calling on Democrats to fix problems created by controversial police-related bills. Law enforcement, EMTs, and others are concerned about the legislation passed by Democrats. July 29, 2021
Legislation with audio & video clips:
HB 1054: Police tactics and equipment
Senators Fortunato, Ericksen, King, Holy, McCune, J. Wilson and Sheldon
HB 1310: Use of force by law enforcement and correctional officers
Senators Schoesler, Holy, Ericksen, King, Honeyford, Warnick, J. Wilson, L. Wilson, Muzzall
SB 5051: State oversight and accountability of police officers
Sen. Mike Padden, 4th LD
Sen. Ron Muzzall, 10th LD
Sen. Jeff Holy, 6th LD
SB 5476: Addressing the State v. Blake decision on the legalization of hard drugs
Senate Republican Leader John Braun, 20th LD
Sen. Mike Padden, 4th LD
Audio clip: Sen. Mike Padden pushes for action on Blake decision decriminalizing drugs
Learn more:
January
-
Second woman sues King County, claiming deputies failed to protect her during probe of prostitution ring in 1990s (The Seattle Times) Jan. 18, 2022
-
Bill supported by Hawkins would allow local sales tax to fund police (NCW Life Channel) Jan. 17, 2022
-
As lawmakers and police debated new law, young father with mental illness languished in Vancouver (OPB) Jan. 17, 2022
-
State lawmakers consider fixes to controversial police reform laws (KGMI Radio) Jan. 18, 2022
December
-
OPINION: Gig Harbor’s police chief has a wish list for state legislators. Here’s what he’d like (Kelly Busey, Gig Harbor Chief of Police/The News Tribune) Dec. 14, 2021
-
COLUMN: Seattle police ‘Unavailable’ list grows, city an emergency event away from catastrophe (Jason Rantz/MyNorthwest) Dec. 13, 2021
November
October
September
-
Washington state’s new policing reforms causing confusion, mental health responders say (The Seattle Times) Sept. 2, 2021
-
Confusion over police reform law continues as recent response call in Kent shows (KOMO TV) Sept. 1, 2021
-
State training commission adjusting to new demands from police accountability laws (KOMO TV) Sept. 1, 2021
August
-
Grant County Sheriff’s Office, victim blaming House Bill 1054 after stolen vehicle pursuit broken off (KPQ Radio) Aug. 23, 2021
-
‘Literally had them in our crosshairs,’ says Quincy family who took aim at thieves after new reform law prevented pursuit by deputies (iFiberOne) Aug. 23, 2021
-
Port Angeles’ top cop airs concerns about police reforms after crime report (KONP Radio) Aug. 23, 2021
-
Sheriff: Not practical to arrest for mask violations (KGMI Radio)
-
OPINION: Legislators need to listen to cops, fix bad laws (Sen. Lynda Wilson/The Columbian) Aug. 22, 2021
-
Cowlitz County police, mental health providers concerned about new law’s changes to crisis response (The Daily News) Aug. 22, 2021
-
EDITORIAL: Strong, ethical police improve communities (The Columbian) Aug. 22, 2021
-
OPINION: An alternative view of policing (Robert Linn/The Spokesman-Review) Aug. 21, 2021
-
EDITORIAL: Amid summer violence, true city leadership means helping all Tacomans feel safer (The News Tribune) Aug. 21, 2021
-
Sheriffs ask for special session to amend ‘confusing’ police reform laws; Governor rejects request (The Wenatchee World) Aug. 20, 2021
-
Sheriff calls for legislative session to ‘fix’ police reform laws (KIRO TV) Aug. 20, 2021
-
Q&A: Rep. Jesse Johnson on police reform (Washington State Wire) Aug. 18, 2021
-
COLUMN: The AG’s pinky promise and the damage of the new police laws (John McCroskey/The Chronicle) Aug. 18, 2021
-
WA school resource officers studying police reform laws (KWHT) Aug. 12, 2021
-
Republican leaders call for special session to “fix” police reform laws (KEPR TV) Aug. 12, 2021
-
Confusion over police reform laws grow along with calls for a special session (KOMO TV) Aug. 11, 2021
-
Republican leaders call for special session on police reform bills (Washington State Wire) Aug. 11, 2021
-
COLUMN: Seattle’s former police chief on what to do about rising gun violence (Carmen Best, former Seattle police chief/Crosscut) Aug. 11, 2021
-
Cowlitz County officers train on new use of force law, brace for possible arrest lags (The Daily News) Aug. 8, 2021
-
Douglas County Sheriff’s Office to provide legislative changes information to Douglas County communities (KPQ Radio) Aug. 8, 2021
-
OPINION: New ‘reforms’ will hamper police, hurt public safety (Sen. Jeff Holy/The Spokesman-Review) Aug. 8, 2021
-
OPINION: The high cost of policing – on those who do the job (Peter Braun, Portland Police officer who lives in Portland/The Oregonian) Aug. 8, 2021
-
BLOG: After abandoning police last summer, AG Ferguson continues to chose partisan politics over public safety (Shift) Aug. 7, 2021
-
BLOG: Senator Gildon: “A society that does not enforce its own laws and protect its own citizens is a society destined for disaster.” (Shift) Aug. 6, 2021
-
BLOG: Senator Jeff Wilson: “Only a matter of time before this political lunacy gets someone killed.” (Shift) Aug. 6, 2021
-
Bellevue’s interim police chief addresses police reform, outlines vision for the department (MyNorthwest) Aug. 6, 2021
-
EDITORIAL: ‘Who you gonna call?’ Thanks to WA state’s police reform bills, there is no easy answer (Tri-City Herald) Aug. 6, 2021
-
Bonney Lake officers say new reform laws kept them from tracking armed suspect (KING TV) Aug. 5, 2021
-
COLUMN: King County Sheriff’s Office, other agencies pull several non-lethal tools thanks to Democrats (Jason Rantz/MyNorthwest) Aug. 5, 2021
-
Man jumps onto cop car, allegedly hits officer who was following police reform rules (KOMO TV) Aug. 5, 2021
-
Confusion over new police reform law continues amid calls for special session by lawmakers (KOMO TV) Aug. 4, 2021
-
Lower Columbia SWAT team arrests man after three-hour standoff with nonlethal weapons barred by new state law (The Daily News) Aug. 4, 2021
-
An epicenter of violence in Seattle has gotten so bad, the sheriff is telling employees to work from home (KCPQ TV) Aug. 4, 2021
-
Why this Seattle business owner wishes there were ’10 times more police officers’ downtown (KUOW Radio) Aug. 4, 2021
-
Hateful messages directed at Moses Lake’s police force found sprayed on veterans’ memorial at local park (iFiberOne) Aug. 4, 2021
-
Sequim police seeking citizen investigators (KONP Radio) Aug. 4, 2021
-
COLUMN: What drives a state senator crazy? Call a cop and see (Dave Ettl/KIT Radio) Aug. 3, 2021
-
‘Legitimate issues that need to be addressed’ in new state policing laws (MyNorthwest) Aug. 3, 2021
-
New reforms cause ‘confusion and uncertainty,’ Washington police say. Advocates say the laws just need time (KUOW Radio) Aug. 2, 2021
-
Trying to follow new state laws, WSP shut down I-82 Sunday rather than removed woman from roadway (NCW Life Channel) Aug. 2, 2021
-
Chelan County Sheriff’s Town Hall on new policing laws draws 2,600 in-person, online attendees (KPQ Radio) Aug. 3, 2021
-
An exit interview with departing Bellevue Police Chief Steve Mylett (MyNorthwest) Aug. 2, 2021
-
What happens when police don’t show up to 911 calls (The Olympian) Aug. 1, 2021
-
They had probable cause after he made threats, but law prevented Bellingham police pursuit (The Bellingham Herald) Aug. 1, 2021
-
OPINION: Legislative Democrats’ attempt at police reform puts communities at risk (Sen. Perry Dozier/The Seattle Times) Aug. 1, 2021
-
COLUMN: Honor fallen sergeant by listening to police (Ann Donnelly/The Columbian) Aug. 1, 2021
-
EDITORIAL: Washington state’s police reform is taking effect without alternatives in place (The Olympian) Aug. 1, 2021
July
-
Police around Washington scrambling, and struggling, to adapt to massive reform package (AP/The Seattle Times) July 31, 2021
-
Chelan County Sheriff Brian Burnett meeting with communities over new police legislation (KPQ Radio) July 30, 2021
-
BLOG: Democrats hate law enforcement and are willing to experiment with your safety (Shift) July 30, 2021
-
New laws add restrictions to policing, authorities look to adapt (The Wenatchee World) July 30, 2021
-
Police lament loss of neck holds. ‘No one wants us to beat someone into submission’ (The News Tribune) July 30, 2021
-
COLUMN: Washington lawmaker: New policing laws ‘a bump in the road, not a crisis’ (Dori Monson/MyNorthwest) July 30, 2021
-
New restrictions on Washington state police may lead to spike in crime (KCPQ TV) July 29, 2021
-
Local leaders fear new WA police reform laws do more harm than good (KEPR TV) July 29,2021
-
Seattle grocers ask SPD to hire more officers to meet ‘basic levels of public safety’ (KING TV) July 29, 2021
-
State Patrol says troopers were unable to pursue wrong way driver because of new law (KEPR TV) July 29, 2021
-
Deputies searching for suspect after man shot dead in Puyallup parking lot (KCPQ TV) July 29, 2021
-
Pierce County police leaders say new WA reforms hinder effective law enforcement (The News Tribune) July 28, 2021
-
New police law keeps authorities from arresting troubled man (KONA Radio) July 28, 2021
-
As Democrats cave into liberal violence, their police “reform” bill has already caused numerous dangerous situations (Shift Washington) July 28, 2021
-
Chicago attorney, activist picked as King County’s new director of Office of Law Enforcement Oversight (The Seattle Times) July 27, 2021
-
EDITORIAL: New police reform bills need a rewrite (Walla Walla Union-Bulletin) July 27, 2021
-
SRC On Air: Sen. John Braun on The Lars Larson Show. July 26, 2021
-
Pullman police chief says new Washington laws restricting law enforcement threatens public safety (KQQQ Radio) July 27, 2021
-
Seattle PD low on officers as gun violence spikes (KIRO TV) July 26, 2021
-
Durkan calls for more officers after string of deadly shootings (KUOW Radio) July 26, 2021
-
Idaho deputies unable to track down suspect who crossed into Washington, citing new policing laws (KHQ TV) July 26, 2021
-
Tri-Cities woman slashes tires on 3 cop cars. New law kept police from stopping her sooner (Tri-City Herald) July 26, 2021
-
Sheriff: New police reforms ‘very disappointing and frustrating’ (KELA Radio) July 26, 2021
-
Wenatchee police captain talks law enforcement reform, national night out (KOHO Radio) July 26, 2021
-
EDITORIAL: Clarity required as new drug law takes effect (The Columbian) July 26, 2021
-
Olympia police chief describes huge changes in policing dictated by new state laws (The Olympian) July 26, 201
-
New director of CJTC: ‘Long overdue’ that community, law enforcement work together (MyNorthwest) July 26, 2021
-
Confusion besets new police reform laws in Washington state (AP/KOMO TV) July 26, 2021
-
Officials await clarification over new law enforcement reform bill ‘misconceptions’ (KING TV) July 25, 2021
-
As police adjust to reforms, crisis responders feel deserted (The Everett Herald) July 25, 2021
-
‘It will place individuals at a greater risk’: Police worry about new laws, social justice groups welcome the changes (KXLY) July 25, 2021
-
Walla Walla, Columbia County law enforcement leaders voice concern over police reform laws (Walla Walla Union-Bulletin) July 25, 2021
-
EDITORIAL: Will new police rules solve the problem? (Yakima Herald-Republic) July 25, 2021
-
Law enforcement calls for Attorney General’s opinion on new police laws (MyNorthwest) July 24, 2021
-
Detective’s death prompts outpouring of grief, sympathy (The Columbian) July 24, 2021
-
As police-reform laws go into effect, sheriffs and activists disagree on their effectiveness (The Spokesman-Review) July 23, 2021
-
AUDIO: Wilcox/Braun say Democrats must work with law enforcement/Republicans to improve police legislation. July 23, 2021
-
Here’s how Washington’s police reform law will affect their response to crime (KREM TV) July 23, 2021
-
New police reform measures take effect Sunday in Washington state (KOMO TV) July 23, 2021
-
New state policing bills will have ‘limited impact’ on Seattle, says SPD chief (MyNorthwest) July 23, 2021
-
Spokane County Commissioners unanimously back Spokane sheriff’s opposition to new policing bill (KHQ TV) July 23, 2021
-
Grant County sheriff responds to new law enforcement reform laws (KHQ TV) July 23, 2021
-
Spokane County sheriff joins lawsuit against legislation changing the way police respond to riots (KHQ TV) July 23, 2021
-
Eastern Washington law enforcement leaders concerned about new reform laws (KXLY) July 23, 2021
-
Washington police reform laws will impact local policing (KWHT) July 23, 2021
-
Police officers feel limited by new law enforcement reforms in Washington (KING TV) July 22, 2021
-
‘We are a little handcuffed’: Eastern Washington law enforcement concerned about police reforms (KREM TV) July 22, 2021
-
Scott Engle, Chief, Puyallup Police Department: Letter to community members (Facebook) July 21, 2021
-
Op-ed: Legislators use a hammer instead of a scalpel with new police laws (John McCroskey, The Chronicle) July 21, 2021
-
Local law enforcement have concerns over new police reform laws going into effect (Q13 FOX) July 21, 2021
-
Police officers feel limited by new law enforcement reforms in Washington (KING TV) July 21, 2021
-
COLUMN: Legislators use a hammer instead of a scalpel with new police laws (John McCroskey/The Chronicle) July 21, 2021
-
New police reforms will change police response (WASPC news release) July 21, 2021
-
Yakima Valley law enforcement critical of police reform measures set to go into effect (Yakima Herald-Republic) July 20, 2021
-
Sheriffs’ letter pledges support of Second Amendment and other rights (KIRO TV) July 20, 2021
-
Lakewood police to increase presence at city events following gun-related incidents (The News Tribune) July 20, 2021
-
How Tukwila is teaming up with community reps as ground shifts around policing (KUOW Radio) July 20, 2021
-
EDITORIAL: Data-driven policing is promising, as long as we know who’s driving the data (Yakima Herald-Republic) July 20, 2021
-
Washington’s law enforcement concerned, confused by incoming reform laws (KING TV) July 19, 2021
-
New police reform laws affecting domestic violence cases (KXLY) July 19, 2021
-
OPINION: Legislation threaten progress on behavioral health crisis response (Kevin Shutty, Mason County commissioner/iFiberOneNewsRadio-KMAS) July 19, 2021
-
COLUMN: House Bill 1310 – Good intentions, but bad legislation (Richard Stride/The Chronicle) July 19, 2021
-
Snohomish County Sheriff: New laws for policing could ‘put the community at danger’ (My Northwest) July 19, 2021
-
New police reform laws raise concerns for local police departments (KXLY) July 16, 2021
-
’71 gets a gun’: Graduates of Washington’s police training academy unprepared to patrol streets, law enforcement leaders say (USA Today/Kitsap Sun) July 16, 2021
-
New policing laws weigh on local officers (The Daily World) July 14, 2021
-
Op-ed: Legislation threatens progress on behavioral health crisis response (Mason County Commissioner Kevin Shutty on MasonWebTV.com) July 14, 2021
-
Op-ed: The impact of new state laws on Federal Way police (Police Chief Andy Hwang, Federal Way Mirror ) July 14, 2021
-
‘Why stay?’: Law enforcement advocates explain exodus from police forces (KOMO TV) July 7, 2021
-
Washington law enforcement agencies reported increase in crime statewide in 2020 (WASPC news release) July 7, 2021
-
COLUMN: Seattle just saw its deadliest June in over a decade, up 125% over same month last year (Jason Rantz/MyNorthwest) July 7, 2021
-
Video: It’s the Law 2021 Legislative Update – Episode 1: Tactics (Kent Mayor Dana Ralph and Chief Rafael Padilla ) July 7, 2021
June
February
-
Op-ed: Police reform and the unintended consequences it will bring (Rep. Brad Klippert, Tri-City Herald ) February 24, 2021
-
Comment: Policing bill gives state panel too much authority (Sen. Jeff Holy) February 21, 2021
-
Op-ed: House Bill 1054 threatens public safety (Rep. Jenny Graham and Spokane Police Guild Vice President Tim Schwering, The Spokesman-Review ) February 4, 2021