People Who Want to Make it Easier to Prosecute Cops Who Kill Might Get Their Way Soon


For two years, police-reform groups have unsuccessfully tried to convince state lawmakers to make it easier to prosecute law enforcement officers who kill in the line of duty.

Those reformers now might have something on their side to put their efforts over the top: Political leverage.

A group called De-Escalate Washington has decided to push its proposed changes as an initiative to the Legislature in 2018.

If the campaign hits its 260,000-signature target by the end of the year, it will bring a bill to the Capitol that would lower the state’s uniquely high bar for prosecuting officers who improperly use deadly force. Group leaders say the measure would increase police accountability.

Key lawmakers say the threat of the initiative going to the ballot gives De-Escalate Washington the upper hand should it choose to negotiate a legislative alternative with police groups that have stuffed more modest change in the Legislature.

Those against revamping the law, namely the Fraternal Order of Police, say Initiative 940 could lead to witch hunts against police who make honest mistakes in stressful situations. But lawmakers who have been deeply involved in the debate say the Fraternal Order might be more willing to strike a deal on an compromise to avoid a vote of the people on I-940.

De-Escalate Washington, which launched in July, said in a news release Thursday it had about 160,000 signatures so far.

“Bottom line is, I think the opponents might realize that a legislative solution is better for them than the initiative,” said Sen. Mike Padden, a Republican from Spokane Valley who chairs the Senate’s Law and Justice Committee.

There are three outcomes possible with an initiative to the Legislature. Lawmakers can pass it. They can approve an alternative to compete with I-940 on the fall 2018 ballot — possibly one that unites police and community advocates as a compromise. Or they can do nothing, sending Initiative 940 to the ballot by itself.

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