Brief Description: Creating an office of investigative assistance within the Washington state patrol.

Sponsors: Representatives Campbell, Lovick, McCune, Green, Ericks, Barlow, Lantz and Kelley.

Hearing Date: 1/29/07

Staff: Yvonne Walker (786-7841).

Background:

The Washington State Patrol (WSP) is a general authority Washington law enforcement agency that has as its primary function the detection and apprehension of persons committing infractions or violating the traffic or criminal laws in general, as distinguished from a limited authority Washington law enforcement agency. Peace officers completing the basic law enforcement training and employed by the WSP are commissioned to enforce the criminal laws of the state of Washington.

The WSP encompasses the following six main bureaus:

• Field Operations Bureau: The Field Operations Bureau is comprised of eight districts and the Commercial Vehicle Division. The Field Operations Bureau is primarily responsible for traffic law enforcement, collision investigation, and motorist assists on the state and interstate highways. The Commercial Vehicle Division is responsible for the enforcement of commercial motor vehicle regulations.
• Office of the State Fire Marshal, Fire Protection Bureau: The Office of the State Fire Marshal, Fire Protection Bureau, provides services to fire districts, government agencies, members of the media, and the general public. These services include: fire incident reporting and data collection, fire code review and adoption, construction plan review for fire sprinkler and alarm systems, and fire inspections of high risk occupancies housing elderly and vulnerable populations. In addition, the Fire Protection Bureau regulates the fireworks and sprinkler industry through a licensing program.

• Forensic Laboratory Services Bureau: The Forensic Laboratory Services Bureau (FLSB) provides a wide range of forensic science expertise to city, county, and state law enforcement officers, assisting agencies at crime scenes, preparing evidence for trial, and providing expert testimony. The bureau coordinates the efforts of the State's Breath Alcohol Test Program, the Drug Evaluation and Classification (DEC) Program, six crime laboratories, the Latent Print Laboratory, and the State Toxicology Laboratory.
• Investigative Services Bureau: The Investigative Services Bureau (ISB) consists of five divisions that provide various public services, including: vessel and terminal safety; narcotics investigation and dismantling of clandestine labs; fatality, criminal, and missing children investigations; computer forensics; organized crime intelligence; and public records and records retention.
• Management Services Bureau: The Management Services Bureau oversees budget and fiscal services, the Human Resource Division, the Risk Management Division, the Strategic Planning and Performance section, and the Training Division.
• Technical Services Bureau: The Technical Services Bureau provides support services and technical systems that WSP troopers and all other criminal justice officials use on a daily basis. Divisions reporting to the bureau include: the Communications Division, the Criminal Records Division, the Electronic Services Division, the Information Technology Division, and the Property Management Division.

Summary of Bill:

An Office of Investigative Assistance (OIA) is created in the Washington State Patrol (WSP). The Chief of the WSP may organize the Office of Investigative Assistance at his or her discretion; however, the office must include the Organized Crime Intelligence Unit, the Drug Control Assistance Unit, the Special Narcotics Enforcement Unit, the Bureau of Forensic Laboratory Services, and the Missing Children Clearinghouse.
   
The OIA is responsible for investigating cyber crimes, identity theft, drug trafficking law violations, organized crime activity, gang-related criminal activity, and missing and exploited children. The OIA assists local jurisdictions in the investigation of these such crimes that cross existing jurisdictional lines or that require specialized technical skills. It is also responsible for the use of computer forensics, laboratory forensics, drug control, and special weapons and tactics used by the WSP.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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