KUOW - Cultural changes ahead for police in Washington state, as controversial reform takes effect kuow.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from kuow.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
New laws governing Washington State law enforcement took effect on Sunday, including their use of force (HB 1310) and tactics (HB 1054).
Some police departments in King County say new laws means they will no longer respond to certain calls; City of Seattle chief Adrian Diaz calls that âabsurd.â
T
he use of force law states, âIt is the fundamental duty of law enforcement to preserve and protect all human life.â
It requires police to use de-escalation tactics and the minimal force necessary to overcome resistance. It also prohibits any use of physical force (ranging from handcuffing to deadly force) unless a person is committing a crime or poses an imminent threat of harm.
Cultural changes ahead for police in Washington state, as controversial reform takes effect spokanepublicradio.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from spokanepublicradio.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
New state policing bills will have limited impact on Seattle, says SPD chief
Seattle police outside of Pike Place Market. (File photo by David Ryder/Getty Images)
Seattle interim Police Chief Adrian Diaz provided insight on Thursday into how new state policing bills will likely affect the city long-term.
This comes while law enforcement agencies around Washington state have said they’re working to interpret the impact of two new bills the Legislature passed during the last session.
House Bills 1310 and 1054, which take effect on Sunday, relate to police tactics and use of force.
Interim Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz released a statement on Thursday saying that, in many cases, the news laws mirror what the Seattle Police Department has already put into practice.