SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 2685

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Higher Education, February 21, 2002

Title:  An act relating to probationary periods of campus police officer appointees.

Brief Description:  Establishing the probationary period for campus police officer appointees.

Sponsors:  Representatives Kenney, Jarrett, Fromhold, Tokuda and Lantz; by request of University of Washington.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Higher Education:  2/21/02 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.

Signed by Senators Kohl‑Welles, Chair; Shin, Vice Chair; Carlson, Horn, McAuliffe and B. Sheldon.

Staff:  Heather Lewis-Lechner (786-7448)

Background:  Under current Washington law, the Washington Personnel Resources Board (WPRB) is required to adopt rules regarding the procedures pertaining to state personnel, including the probationary period required for new employees.  Currently the WPRB has the flexibility to set probationary periods of six to 12 months for all employees except state park rangers, who must serve a 12-month probationary period.

The Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission provides programs and standards for the training of criminal justice personnel.  All law enforcement personnel, except volunteers and reserve officers, employed on or after January 1, 1978, are required to have basic law enforcement training that complies with the standards set out by the commission.  The commission must provide this basic training along with all necessary facilities and materials.

Summary of Bill:  The WPRB must adopt rules that set the probationary period of campus police officer appointees as 12 months.  For appointees who are required to attend the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission Basic Law Enforcement Academy, the 12 months are from the date the officer successfully completes the academy.  If academy training is not required, the 12-month probationary period is from the date the officer is appointed.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  This bill is good for public safety.  By extending the probationary period, it gives an opportunity to better evaluate the campus officers while they are on the job.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Representative Phyllis Kenney, prime sponsor; Amy Bell, U.W.