OLYMPIA, Wash.-An initiative that amended Washington’s police pursuit law to once again allow law enforcement to pursue a car when there is reasonable suspicion the driver has broken the law.
The state Senate passed Initiative 2113 by a 36-13 vote and it passed the state House by a 77-20 vote on March. 4 and will become law in 90 days.
Since the passage of Initiative 2113, law enforcement agencies across the state have released statements.
Washington State Patrol: “The mission of the Washington State Patrol is to make our roadways safe for all who travel across our state. Ensuring roadway safety involves enforcing the laws as they are written, which is what we will continue to do with this or any new change. Our troopers are well trained and well-versed in such laws, and utilize that training and experience as they choose whether or not to pursue,” said Sgt. Chelsea Hodgson.
Walla Walla Police, College Place Police and the Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Office issued the following joint statement, which read in part: “While we understand the importance of apprehending criminals and maintaining public safety, we must always prioritize the well-being of our community members, officers, and bystanders. Pursuits inherently pose risks, both to those involved in the pursuit and to innocent bystanders, and we are committed to minimizing these risks to the greatest extent possible.”
“Pursuits will only be initiated when the value of apprehending the criminal outweighs the associated risks.”
The full statement is available online.
