SENATE BILL REPORT
HB 1689
AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE, MARCH 24, 1993
Brief Description: Making it a misdemeanor to impersonate a law enforcement officer.
SPONSORS: Representatives Chappell, Springer, Appelwick, Riley, Campbell, Brough, Basich, J. Kohl and Johanson
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE
Majority Report: Do pass as amended.
Signed by Senators A. Smith, Chairman; Hargrove, McCaslin, Nelson, Niemi, Roach, and Spanel.
Staff: Dick Armstrong (786‑7460)
Hearing Dates: March 24, 1993
BACKGROUND:
A person can commit the crime of criminal impersonation in either of two ways. First, the crime may be committed by assuming a false identity and acting with an unlawful purpose. Second, the crime may be committed by pretending to be a representative of another person and acting with an unlawful purpose. The crime is a gross misdemeanor.
SUMMARY:
The crime of criminal impersonation is amended to include two degrees. The existing crime is designated first-degree criminal impersonation.
The new crime of second-degree criminal impersonation is created. The crime is committed by claiming to be, or creating the impression that one is, a law enforcement officer and, under circumstances not amounting to the first-degree crime, acting with the intent to convey the impression that one is acting in an official capacity.
The second-degree crime is a misdemeanor.
SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:
Explicit language is added to the bill to ensure that no crime is committed unless a reasonable person would believe that the person was a law enforcement officer.
Appropriation: none
Revenue: none
Fiscal Note: none requested
TESTIMONY FOR:
When people pretend to be law enforcement officers, it creates a dangerous situation for both the victim and the person who is pretending to be a police officer. For instance, the person who is stopped in his car may use a firearm to defend himself.
TESTIMONY AGAINST: None
TESTIFIED: Representative Chappell, prime sponsor