Former Seattle Chief Argues for National Licensing of Officers

Former Seattle Police Chief Norm Stamper says in his new book, “To Protect and Serve,” that all police in the country should be licensed, in the same manner as a doctor or attorney.

“Everything that goes into being a professional police officer, you satisfy the requirements in those areas, you get your license in effect,” he said. “But you can get your license revoked, your authority to practice law anywhere in the United States.”

Stamper said that the capacity to revoke a police officer’s license — in the same way a bar association can pull an attorney’s right to practice law — provides a red flag for other departments when they are hiring, KIRO reports.

“We need a national standard,” Stamper said. “Who would require it for so many things and not being a police officer?”