Coalition of Law Enforcement Unions Applauds State Lawmakers for their Work on Police Reform
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OLYMPIA, Wash., March 10, 2021 /PRNewswire/ A broad coalition of Washington state law enforcement unions, representing more than 14,000 officers, released a letter Wednesday urging lawmakers to continue their work on police accountability reform in the 2021 legislative session. We do not want the tragedies that have occurred across our nation and here in Washington to be repeated, said Teresa Taylor, Executive Director of WACOPS. We support accountability for officers and employers. We support fairness, balance, and objectivity. We want to help build policies that will make the law enforcement profession better and our communities safer.
PARKER MILES BLOHM / KNKX
A proposal to impose sweeping restrictions on police tactics and techniques in Washington is highlighting stark differences of opinion between police and reform groups.
That divide was on display Tuesday in the House Public Safety committee during a lengthy, virtual public hearing on an omnibus bill sponsored by Democratic state Rep. Jesse Johnson. His measure, which is co-sponsored by several other Democrats, would ban:
Chokeholds and neckholds
The use of tear gas
The acquisition and use of military-grade equipment
Methods to obscure identifiable information on police badges
No-knock warrants
Shooting at a moving vehicle
In making the case for his legislation, Johnson, who s the vice chair of the Public Safety committee, said most officers do their jobs with honor and with respect to the profession.
Community members gathered in June for a celebration of life for Manuel Ellis, who was killed by Tacoma police in March. In this photo, one of the attendees hangs a flyer with Ellisâ image that says âHappy Fatherâs Day Manny.â Credit: Parker Miles Blohm / KNKX
Police and reformers face off over proposal to ban chokeholds, tear gas and military equipment By
A proposal to impose sweeping restrictions on police tactics and techniques in Washington is highlighting stark differences of opinion between police and reform groups.
That divide was on display Tuesday in the House Public Safety committee during a lengthy, virtual public hearing on an omnibus bill sponsored by Democratic state Rep. Jesse Johnson. His measure, which is co-sponsored by several other Democrats, would ban:
OLYMPIA A Washington legislative committee Tuesday heard testimony on a sweeping bill that would ban a range of police tactics, from chokeholds, neck restraints and tear gas, to use of military gear and no-knock warrants.