Wilcox and Braun call on Democrats and governor to fix problems created by controversial police-related bills

CONTACT: Nick Jacob, Senior Public Information Officer | 360-786-5097
Wilcox and Braun call on Democrats and governor to fix problems created by controversial police-related bills
Republicans warned House Bills 1310 and 1054 would make communities less safe, offered amendments that were rejected
Law enforcement, EMT, and local elected officials across the state are expressing their concerns with new police-related bills passed by Democrats this year and explaining how the legislation will jeopardize the safety of first responders, impact how calls for domestic violence and mental health are handled, and make communities less safe. The officials are sharing the real-world consequences of House Bill 1310 (Concerning permissible uses of force by law enforcement and correctional officers) and House Bill 1054 (Establishing requirements for tactics and equipment used by peace officers) being implemented. Both controversial measures passed on mostly party-line votes in the 2021 legislative session and go into effect on July 25.
House Republican Leader J.T. Wilcox and Senate Republican Leader John Braun released the following statement today:
“It is clear that these controversial bills are jeopardizing the safety of first responders and the public. Officials are explaining how this legislation will negatively impact their communities and the media has done a great job of reporting on these issues. Republicans warned of these outcomes and offered amendments to these bills that were ultimately rejected by the majority party. Republicans also provided solutions in response to the state Supreme Court’s Blake decision that were turned down.
“We are calling on Democrats and the governor to push back against the ‘defund the police’ movement, come to the table, and work with Republicans and the law enforcement community on solutions that will address the problems created by their new policies. This needs to be done quickly before more harm is done to the communities and people we represent.”
Learn more:
- Why Democrats’ police-reform bills have made communities less safe | Washington House Republicans
- Police reform and public safety | Washington Senate Republicans
- As police-reform laws go into effect, sheriffs and activists disagree on their effectiveness | The Spokesman-Review | July 23, 2021
- Rep. Dan Griffey issues statement on the effects of recent law enforcement changes on first responders | June 28, 2021
- Op-ed: Police reform and the unintended consequences it will bring | Rep. Brad Klippert, Tri-City Herald | February 24, 2021
Learn more on House Bill 1310:
- Local law enforcement have concerns over new police reform laws going into effect | Q-13 TV | July 21, 2021
- New police reform laws raise concerns for local police departments | KXLY TV | July 16, 2021
- Op-ed: Legislation threatens progress on behavioral health crisis response | Mason County Commissioner Kevin Shutty, MasonWebTV.com | July 14, 2021
- New law limiting police use of force in Washington may make mental health response more difficult | KING TV | June 22, 2021
- Police say it is hands off for some mental health cases after use-of-force law change | KUOW/NPR | June 21, 2021
Learn more on House Bill 1054:
- Yakima Valley law enforcement critical of police reform measures set to go into effect | Yakima Herald-Republic | July 20, 2021
- Op-ed: The impact of new state laws on Federal Way police | Police Chief Andy Hwang, Federal Way Mirror | July 14, 2021
- Statement from Rep. Gina Mosbrucker on passage of House Bill 1054 – Police officer tactics | February 27, 2021
- Maycumber says legislation passed by House will make families less safe | February 27, 2021
- Op-ed: House Bill 1054 threatens public safety | Rep. Jenny Graham and Spokane Police Guild Vice President Tim Schwering, The Spokesman-Review | February 4, 2021