SPR s Doug Nadvornick reports.
Sheriffs and police chiefs from eastern Washington are warning they’ll have to change their response to crisis when new state policing laws go into effect on Sunday.
The laws are meant to reduce the number of violent confrontations between police and the public. Many police leaders argue they take away tools that are effective at de-escalating tense situations.
At a briefing for reporters Thursday, Spokane Police Chief Craig Meidl said the new laws tighten the threshold by which officers can use force. Some provisions in the laws are vague, he said, leaving officers confused about how they’re allowed to act in certain circumstances. For example, he says officers called in to de-escalate situations with agitated individuals may not be allowed to use force to bring someone under control if they’re not breaking the law.
KXLY
July 22, 2021 2:07 PM
Copyright 4 News Now
SPOKANE, Wash. Law enforcement leaders from across Eastern Washington gathered on Thursday to address their concerns regarding new reform laws which will soon go into effect.
Thirteen laws passed during the 2021 legislative session. Among them are laws that ban the use of military equipment that is .50 caliber or greater; require tear gas only be used during a hostage situation or for riots outside a correctional facility; and enforce increased transparency and accountability regarding misconduct by officers.
During the Thursday news conference, law enforcement leaders repeatedly claimed the new laws are ambiguous, are creating fear among officers and that there are still many questions about what is expected of those in law enforcement.
KXLY
July 22, 2021 7:33 PM
The changes are part of a package of police reforms that passed the legislature this year.
Law enforcement agencies across Eastern Washington came together Wednesday to express their concerns about the new bills, which they say will limit them.
There were 13 laws passed during legislative session this year. One of those laws include banning the use of military equipment. Choke-holds and neck restraint will be banned, and tear gas use will be limited.
With all the police reform laws, advocates say it was done to help reduce violence in situations.
“You never hear the thousands of times we come in and calm things down and make things better, but you focus extreme points on the very rare times things go badly,” Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich said.
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