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Saturday, Jul. 24, 2021

Will Washington state police reforms prevent officers from chasing a violent suspect?

Alexis Tereszcuk, Lead Stories

no

Contrary to the claims in a social media post, a series of new laws do not prohibit police officers in Washington state from pursuing a violent criminal if the officers did not witness the crime themselves. Nor do the new laws prohibit police from making "welfare checks" on individuals, as the post claims.

The post floats theoretical situations in which law enforcement officers in the state supposedly will be restricted from some duties.

One made-up situation was that police could not chase a suspected child abductor unless officers witnessed the crime.

The language in the legislation, HB 1054, contradicts that claim, saying officers can "engage in a vehicular pursuit" for a suspect if there is "probable cause" for violent offenses or sex offense.

The legislation also does not prohibit officers from making welfare checks, according to one state legislator.

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