Brief Description: Providing for training peace officers to reduce deaths.

Sponsors: Representatives Armstrong, Nixon and Hunter.

Hearing Date: 1/21/04

Staff: Yvonne Walker (786-7841).

Background:

The CJTC was established in 1974 for the primary purpose of providing basic law enforcement training, corrections training, and educational programs for criminal justice personnel, including commissioned officers, corrections officers, fire marshals, and prosecuting attorneys.

Training. Basic law enforcement officer training is generally required of all full-time commissioned law enforcement employees of the state. The training consists of a 720-hour program covering a wide variety of subjects, including constitutional and criminal law and procedures, criminal investigation, firearms training, communication and writing skills, and weapon retention and self defense. All law enforcement personnel hired, transferred or promoted, are required to complete the core training requirements within six months unless the employee receives a waiver from the CJTC. All other position-related training must be completed within one year after the core training.

CJTC Funding. The CJTC, funded by an appropriation from the public safety and education account, provides training to criminal justice personnel at no cost. Meals and lodging are also provided to attendees who must travel in excess of 50 miles to the training site.

Summary of Bill:

The Legislature finds that since 1855, numerous law enforcement officers in Washington have given their lives in the line of duty. Many of these deaths and injuries were a result from criminal suspects using the officers' own weapons against them.

The Legislature intends to ensure officer safety and reduce the number of officers killed or injured with their own weapons by providing adequate funding for peace officers to receive the training necessary for them to achieve and maintain expertise in weapon retention and survival techniques.

Training and Funding. One million dollars is appropriated from the general fund to the CJTC for the purpose of providing Washington peace officers training in weapon retention and survival techniques. The training includes techniques for defending against assailants trying to disarm an officer's drawn gun and for regaining control of the gun if disarmed.

This act is know as the Saul Gallegos Peace Officer Survival Act of 2004.

Appropriation: The sum of $1 million.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.