BILL REQ. #:  H-0587.1 

Read first time 01/15/2007.   Referred to Committee on Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness.

     AN ACT Relating to the creation of an office of investigative assistance within the Washington state patrol; and adding a new section to chapter 43.43 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 43.43 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) An office of investigative assistance is created in the Washington state patrol, which shall be under the direction of the chief of the Washington state patrol.
     (2) The office of investigative assistance shall investigate cyber crimes, identity theft, drug trafficking law violations, organized crime activity, gang-related criminal activity, and missing and exploited children. The office of investigative assistance shall direct the use of computer forensics, laboratory forensics, drug control, and special weapons and tactics by the Washington state patrol.
     (3) The office of investigative assistance shall be organized at the discretion of the chief of the Washington state patrol. In addition to any newly created units by the chief of the Washington state patrol, the office of investigative assistance shall be comprised of the organized crime intelligence unit, RCW 43.43.850, the drug control assistance unit, RCW 43.43.600, the special narcotics enforcement unit, RCW 43.43.655, the bureau of forensic laboratory services, RCW 43.43.670, and the missing children clearinghouse, RCW 43.43.870.
     (4) The office of investigative assistance will assist local jurisdictions in the investigation of crimes described in subsection (2) of this section that cross existing jurisdictional lines or that require specialized technical skills.