This bill seeks to modernize and clarify the laws governing law enforcement officials in Washington State, specifically targeting sheriffs, police chiefs, marshals, and police matrons. It introduces new eligibility requirements for the appointment of police chiefs and marshals, mandating that candidates be at least 25 years old, maintain peace officer certification, and undergo comprehensive background investigations. The legislation emphasizes the sheriffs' core duty to enforce state laws and the Constitution, while also addressing the roles of volunteers and specially commissioned officers, ensuring they do not possess law enforcement authority or weapons unless certified. Additionally, the bill repeals outdated laws concerning police matrons and establishes accountability measures for law enforcement executives in the event of certification revocation.

The bill further amends existing laws to set clear eligibility criteria for sheriff candidates, including U.S. citizenship, a high school diploma or equivalent, and a clean criminal record. It outlines the background investigation process, which must be completed at least 45 days before the election filing deadline, and details the responsibilities of the Washington State Patrol in this process. The legislation also mandates that all peace and corrections officers maintain certification as a condition of employment. It establishes a publicly accessible database to track law enforcement conduct and certification actions for a minimum of 30 years, updates confidentiality provisions for background investigation records, and includes a severability clause to ensure the enforceability of remaining provisions if any part of the act is invalidated.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 35.21.333, 35.21.334, 35.23.161, 35.27.240, 36.28.010, 36.28.025, 36.28.020, 43.101.380, 34.05.510