Demand a floor vote on use of force by police

Over the past year, Washingtonians have joined people from all over the country in demanding an end to police violence. It is time for lawmakers need to step in to and restore compassion and humanity as foundational to public safety. HB 1310 urges law enforcement to implement creative and effective solutions to reduce conflict before using force. This law will not only save lives, but will begin repairing the relationship between police and the public they serve by shifting the way officers respond to calls and engage with community members.

Under HB 1310, officers who reach for lethal force before exhausting other options would be held accountable. Police departments that have failed to prepare their officers to meet this new standard would also be held accountable, a critical factor in dismantling systemic dysfunction. For the first time, our legal system would authorize compensation for those harmed by excessive use of force instead of shielding officers through qualified immunity.

In short, HB 1310 calls for a common-sense approach to policing envisioned by so many in our state. Tell your representatives to pull HB 1310 from the rules committee and vote yes on the floor!