VETO MESSAGE ON HB 1423-S2

                   May 13, 1997

To the Honorable Speaker and Members,

  The House of Representatives of the State of Washington

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     I am returning herewith, without my approval as to section 1, Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill No. 1423 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to criminal justice training;"

     The creation of training standards and education boards for law enforcement and corrections will give the Criminal Justice Training Commission a valuable new tool to develop and evaluate training programs for these important public employees.  Providing for training and certification of supervisory and management personnel will ultimately result in better law enforcement and greater public safety.  I am particularly pleased with the provisions of 2SHB 1423 that require intensive training for investigating cases of child abuse and neglect.

     Section 1 of the bill would expand the Training Commission from twelve to sixteen members by the addition of four "rank and file" law enforcement officers.  The commission has a broad mission, providing training to corrections and jail personnel, county detention personnel, prosecutors and public defenders, in addition to law enforcement officers.  I strongly support the presence of line officers on the Training Commission, however, four is too many.

     Currently, four of the 16 members of the Training Commission are from law enforcement, two sheriffs and two police chiefs.  Four additional law enforcement representatives would upset the balance of the Training Commission.

     For these reasons, I have vetoed section 1 of Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill No. 1423.

     With the exception of section 1, I am approving Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill No. 1423.

                   Respectfully submitted,

                   Gary Locke

                   Governor