HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

2SSB 6369

Brief Description:  Ordering a study of law enforcement issues in counties with over 150,000

Sponsors:  Senators Patterson and McCaslin.

Hearing:  February 22, 2000.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND CORRECTIONS

BACKGROUND:

The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) is considered a combination of units of local government.  It is responsible for, upon the request of a county, assisting that county in helping to develop and implement its local law and justice plan.  The association also maintains various crime reports and, on occasion, is responsible for working with other state and local agencies in conducting studies.

SUMMARY OF BILL: 

The WASPC, in collaboration with the Legislative Evaluation and Accountability Program Committee (LEAP) and the State Auditor's Office, must conduct a study to review law enforcement needs in counties with populations of more than 150,000.  The purpose of the study is to provide recommendations for improvements within law enforcement jurisdictions, WASPC, and the Legislature by reviewing total law enforcement expenditures for each county and the cities within those counties.  The study must include a comprehensive review of total law enforcement costs and the types of costs, including but not limited to special services, such as Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams, bomb disposal units, air support marine units, hostage negotiation teams, homicide investigation units, drug units, canine units, arson investigation teams, computer fraud and forensics units, domestic violence and special assault units, and gang and youth violence units.  The study must distinguish where there are duplications and gaps in service delivery.

In addition, the study must obtain data from those counties and law enforcement agencies where master inter-local agreements, joint specialty service units, and other cooperative arrangements have been developed between law enforcement agencies to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, and ensured quality of specialty law enforcement services.

The WASPC must commence the study by July 1, 2000, and complete the study by January 1, 2001.  A final report must be distributed to the WASPC and the appropriate standing committee by January 30, 2001.

FISCAL NOTE:  Requested on February 17, 2000.

EFFECTIVE DATE:  Ninety days after adjournment of a session in which bill is passed.