HB 2018-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

     Provides that, beginning July 1, 2002, all local law enforcement agencies in this state shall provide an annual report to the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs and the criminal justice training commission, on forms provided by the commission, including the following information:

     (1) The number of individuals stopped for routine traffic enforcement, whether or not a citation or warning was issued;

     (2) Identifying characteristics of the individual stopped, including the race or ethnicity, approximate age, and gender;

     (3) The nature of the alleged traffic infraction or violation that led to the stop;

     (4) Whether a search was instituted as a result of the stop;

     (5) The legal basis for the search, including whether consent was obtained, whether a canine unit was alerted, and whether there was probable cause or reasonable suspicion to suspect a crime; and

     (6) Whether an arrest was made, or a written citation issued, as a result of either the stop or the search.

     Provides that local law enforcement agencies shall comply with the recommendations of the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs regarding racial profiling.

     Requires local law enforcement agencies to:

     (1) Adopt a written policy designed to condemn and prevent racial profiling;

     (2) Review and audit their existing procedures, practices, and training to ensure that they do not enable or foster the practice of racial profiling;

     (3) Continue training to address the issues related to racial profiling.  Officers should be trained in how to better interact with persons they stop so that legitimate police actions are not misperceived as racial profiling;

     (4) Ensure that they have in place a citizen complaint review process that can adequately address instances of racial profiling.  The process must be accessible to citizens and must be fair.  Officers found to be engaged in racial profiling must be held accountable through the appropriate disciplinary procedures within each department;

     (5) Work with the minority groups in their community to appropriately address the issue of racial profiling; and

     (6) Within fiscal constraints, collect demographic data on traffic stops and analyze that data to ensure that racial profiling is not occurring.

     Requires the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs to coordinate with the criminal justice training commission to ensure that issues related to racial profiling are addressed in basic law enforcement training and offered in regional training for in-service law enforcement officers at all levels.

     Requires the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs, in cooperation with the criminal justice training commission, to report to the legislature by December 31, 2001, and each December 31st thereafter, on the progress and accomplishments of each local law enforcement agency in the state in meeting the requirements and goals set forth in this act.