S-4251

AN ACT Relating to a law enforcement study; adding a new section to chapter 39.34 RCW; creating new sections; and making an appropriation.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that population growth and overall economic prosperity has had a profound effect on law enforcement in counties with significant urban centers and suburban growth in Washington. Incorporations and annexations have caused cities, both small and large, to consider their own municipal police departments. Furthermore, the legislature recognizes that cities, counties, and the Washington state patrol have limited resources to support and maintain necessary public safety services.

In the absence of county-wide law enforcement needs and services analysis, some law enforcement agencies have developed special unit capabilities that may need coordination with other cities' law enforcement agencies and the county sheriff. The legislature also finds that as a result, there may be differences in public safety service delivery in Washington where there is either duplication or an absence of available specialty services increasing the possibility of municipal liability and risk, and inefficient and/or unnecessary use of public safety funds. Recognizing that coordinated law enforcement and basic public safety service standards on a county-wide basis is in the best interests of the citizens of Washington, the legislature therefore intends with this act to authorize a study of law enforcement costs, expenditures, services, cooperative arrangements, and service delivery models for counties with over one hundred fifty thousand population. The goal of the regional services study is to produce implementable recommendations for cost-effective, collaborative law enforcement service delivery partnerships.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 39.34 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs shall conduct a study of the total costs and expenditures for law enforcement for both counties and cities within the county for counties with populations over one hundred fifty thousand. In conducting the study the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs shall collaborate with the legislative evaluation and accountability program committee and the state auditor's office. Collaboration shall take advantage of work underway by the legislative evaluation and accountability program committee and the state auditor's office analyzing distribution of law enforcement costs between county, city, and state governments, and developing contextual information to add perspective to the cost data. The focus of the study:

(a) Would include recommendations for law enforcement jurisdictions, Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs actions, and the legislature;

(b) Shall be to research, compile, and analyze data sufficient to provide a comprehensive analysis of the costs and total expenditures for law enforcement. These costs include but are not limited to special services, defined as but not limited to: 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 should distinguish where there are duplications and gaps in service delivery;

(c) Shall be to obtain data from all local governments on the types of costs identified in (b) of this subsection. This data will be compiled and analyzed by the agency or organization commissioned to conduct the study for each county;

(d) Shall be to obtain data from those counties and law enforcement agencies where master interlocal 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.

(2) The Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs shall commence the study no later than July 1, 2000, and complete the study no later than January 1, 2001. The final report shall be distributed to the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs and to the appropriate standing committee no later than January 30, 2001.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The sum of two hundred fifty thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the general fund to the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2001, to carry out the purposes of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. If specific funding for the purposes of this act, referencing this act by bill or chapter number, is not provided by June 30, 2000, in the omnibus appropriations act, this act is null and void.