Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Criminal Justice & Corrections

HB 1067

Brief Description:  Revising provisions relating to the commissioning and training of railroad police.

Sponsors:  Representatives O'Brien, Ballasiotes, Delvin, Lovick and Haigh.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Transfers the responsibility of commissioning and training railroad police from the Governor to the Criminal Justice Training Commission.

$Requires that railroad police complete a course of training prescribed or approved by the Criminal Justice Training Commission.

$Allows railroad police officers to either wear a badge or carry official credentials.

Hearing Date:  1/24/01

Staff:  Katy Freeman (786‑7386).

Background: 

The Governor has the responsibility of appointing and commissioning railroad police officers.

Once appointed and commissioned, regulations provide that the officers must either complete a course of training prescribed by the Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) or complete an alternative training program.  The railroad corporation is not required to pay for the cost of training the officers. 

Railroad police officers are required to wear a metal shield in plain view while on duty.

Summary of Bill: 

The responsibility of commissioning and training railroad police is transferred from the Governor to the CJTC.

A railroad police officer is required to complete a course of training prescribed or approved by the CJTC.  The corporation requesting the appointment of a railroad police officer must pay for the full cost of training.

While on duty, a railroad police officer may either wear a badge in plain view or carry, official credentials and present them when requested.

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

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Received on January 18, 2001.