Clarifying the scope of authority of the office of independent investigations to align with current operations and practices and to include public disclosure requirements and protect privacy.
Summary
Expands the Office of Independent Investigations' (OII's) investigatory jurisdiction to include certain incidents and prior investigations involving use of deadly force by an involved officer regardless of the date the incident occurred, or any other use of force by an involved officer that may have caused or contributed to a death.
Requires the involved agency to immediately contact the OII about incidents involving any use of force by an involved officer if there is good reason to believe the use of force may have caused or contributed to a death.
Requires the OII to receive access to specified reports and information in the custody and control of any responding fire department or ambulance service, subject to certain exceptions.
Modifies the scope of an independent investigation team's authority to investigate incidents at the OII's request.
Eliminates references to specific types of peace officers and agencies from the definitions of involved officer and involved agency.
Exempts specified records related to the OII's reviews and investigations from the Public Records Act.
From the Engrossed Substitute House Bill Report (ESHB 2508), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗
AN ACT Relating to clarifying the scope of authority of the office of independent investigations to align with current operations and practices and to include public disclosure requirements and protect privacy;