Title: An act relating to providing peace officers with training and education in the matter of domestic violence.

Brief Description: Requiring law enforcement agencies to adopt domestic violence policies.

Sponsors: Senators Benton, Winsley, Oke, Keiser, Esser, Prentice, Rasmussen, Fairley, McAuliffe and Kohl-Welles.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Judiciary: 1/21/04.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Staff: Jinnah Rose-McFadden (786-7421)

Background: All state law enforcement personnel receive basic domestic violence training on how to respond to domestic violence in the community. However, there is currently no law requiring extended training on how to respond to allegations of domestic violence committed by law enforcement personnel. Likewise, while approximately 90 percent of agencies have adopted general policies regarding how community domestic violence complaints are addressed, only a handful of agencies have adopted policies specific to allegations of domestic violence committed by law enforcement personnel.

Summary of Substitute Bill: A state model policy on (1) responding to domestic violence reportedly committed by law enforcement personnel, and (2) educating law enforcement personnel in the matter of domestic violence must be created by December 1, 2004. The Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission and the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, in conjunction with organizations representing state and local law enforcement officers, are responsible for developing the model policy.

Each state, county, and municipal law enforcement agency must adopt and implement the model policy or its own domestic violence policy no later than June 1, 2005. All state, county, and municipal law enforcement personnel must receive domestic violence training and training on the agency's domestic violence policy by June 30, 2006. Thereafter, all new state, county, and municipal law enforcement personnel must receive domestic violence training and training on the agency's domestic violence policy within six months of employment.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: The original bill was not considered.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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