The bill aims to address the rising concerns regarding public safety in Washington by incentivizing cities and counties to increase the employment of commissioned law enforcement officers. It highlights the alarming rates of violent and property crimes in the state, which have reached significant highs, while also noting that Washington has the lowest number of law enforcement officers per capita in the nation. To alleviate the burden on local governments and ensure equitable law enforcement, the bill proposes a new sales and use tax of 0.10 percent that local legislative authorities can impose, with the revenue specifically earmarked for hiring additional law enforcement personnel. If a city’s commissioned officer rate exceeds the national average, the funds can also be used for broader criminal justice purposes.

Additionally, the bill amends existing law regarding the training requirements for law enforcement personnel, particularly for those employed as limited authority Washington peace officers. It establishes a timeline for basic training completion and outlines the commission's responsibilities in providing training, including the reimbursement of training costs for agencies with fewer than ten full-time commissioned officers. The bill also mandates that starting in fiscal year 2026, the commission must offer a minimum of 27 basic law enforcement training classes annually, increasing to 28 classes in fiscal year 2027, contingent upon sufficient legislative funding.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 43.101.200