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, possess a high school diploma or equivalent, and maintain peace officer certification. The bill emphasizes accountability by stipulating that appointments will be terminated if a chief or marshal's certification is revoked or if they fail to meet the established requirements. Additionally, it addresses the roles of volunteers and specially commissioned officers, limiting their functions to non-law enforcement activities unless certified, and mandates clear agency policies regarding their supervision.

Furthermore, the bill enhances the standards and procedures for background investigations of law enforcement applicants, requiring that the results of these investigations be made public while maintaining confidentiality of the files. It establishes criteria for disqualifying information in background checks, which will be developed with input from stakeholders. The legislation also updates procedures for adjudicative hearings before the commission, ensuring transparency by making hearing records publicly accessible. A publicly searchable database will be created to maintain records of investigations and actions against officers, reinforcing accountability and oversight. The bill also repeals outdated statutes and includes a severability provision to ensure the act's effectiveness even if parts are found invalid.

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