Politicians, Seahawk Doug Baldwin Call for Police Deadly Force Law Reform
Washington State's extreme law on police deadly force, which all but immunizes police from prosecution for murder, could finally be changed if the state legislature honors sweeping new recommendations from an official task force charged with reducing fatal encounters between police and civilians.
The recommendations, finalized on November 21 in a marathon 11-hour meeting, are the result of hours of emotional and contentious conversations between police, prosecutors, lawmakers, and civil-rights leaders. At the end of the final meeting, Representative Roger Goodman (D-Kirkland), a cochair of the task force, described the experience as one of the most difficult and rewarding he's ever had.
State senator David Frockt (D-North Seattle), who was involved in the final meeting, added: "Given what's going on in the country, this task force can be a model going forward."
Toshiko Hasegawa, a representative of the Washington State Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs, called the task force recommendations "a win for diverse communities across the state demanding real accountability as a foundation for trust with police."
The question is: Will Olympia lawmakers follow the task force recommendations when they convene for the next legislative session in January?
http://www.thestranger.com/news/2016/11/23/24706020/politicians-seahawk-doug-baldwin-call-for-police-deadly-force-law-reform
