The Washington State Senate Monday advanced a measure that would eliminate most restrictions on police pursuits.
The initiative is expected to become law 90 days after the session ends, KOMO News reports.
Opponents have argued that eliminating the law, passed in 2021, would lead to more fatal crashes involving police pursuits. Proponents have said the measure is needed in order to reduce property crime and car thefts, in particular.
Under Washington’s old pursuit law, approved by the state Legislature, police could only chase criminals involved in the serious, violent crimes, like domestic violence offenses, sex crimes, DUI and vehicular assault, and required officers to have probable cause to chase. In May 2023, Gov. Jay Inslee signed a new law that allowed officer to initiate a pursuit if they have a "reasonable suspicion" the suspect committed certain serious, violent crimes instead of "probable cause."
Initiative 2113 expands the current pursuit law to allow officers to chase if they have a “reasonable suspicion” that a person has violated the law or committed any crime. Officers must also only pursue when the person poses a threat to the safety of others, and failing to catch them would be a greater safety risk than the risks involved in a chase.
