Revised police pursuit law on Inslee's desk

OLYMPIA – Gov. Jay Inslee will have the final say on a bill that expands the ability of police to pursue suspects.

Engrossed Senate Bill 5352 passed both the House and Senate and is now on the governor’s desk. It loosens restrictions enacted under a 2022 law.

Sen. John Lovick, D-Mill Creek, introduced the bill.

“I’m a black man from birth. My skin tone is brown, but I wore the blue uniform proudly for 31 years as a state trooper,” he said. “I know there are fears out there, but I think legislation like this can bring our community together and help our law enforcement professionals do the job they are hired and they are trained to do.”

Under current law, an officer only pursue a suspect if there is probable reason to believe a person has committed a violent, sexual or driving under the influence offense; if the person poses a threat to the safety of others or if the risks of not identifying the person are greater than the risk of identifying them.

An officer also is required to receive authorization from a supervisor before a pursuit.

Under the proposed new law, rather than receiving permission from a supervisor to begin pursuit, an officer would need to notify a supervisor. Both the officer and supervisor would be required to come up with a plan to end the pursuit, too.

The bill passed the Senate, 26-23, and the House, 57-40.

After going through the House, the bill was amended to require an officer to have completed an emergency vehicle operator’s course to engage in a pursuit. The Senate agreed to the changes, sending the bill to the governor’s desk.

Rep. Kelly Chambers, R-Puyallup, said vehicle pursuits have been the most-talked about issue for the past two years.

“Many things that are covered in this bill, law enforcement can already do,” she said. “Until we address stolen vehicles and property crimes, Washington will be a less safe place to live.”

Lovick said some laws get passed out of hope, and some laws get passed out of fear.

“I’m voting for hope,” he said. “I hope that this legislation will strike a balance and give our fantastic police officers the tools they need to do their job to the best of their ability.”

The law takes effect immediately following the governor’s signature.