State Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, released a statement on Monday following the state Senate’s passage of Senate Bill 5352, calling it a “half-step” toward allowing law enforcement to engage in vehicular pursuits in more situations. Braun argued SB 5352’s passage by a vote of 26 to 22 represented what he sees as mixed feelings on the bill on both sides of the aisle.
Braun said he agrees with some law enforcement organizations and families of victims that the bill does not do enough to protect the public.
“As I’ve said before, SB 5352 is only a half-step in the right direction. And, while I appreciate that the majority allowed a pursuit-reform bill to pass the Legislature, I am disappointed that certain legislators, through their own hubris, posed such an enormous barrier to improving public safety,” Braun said.
Braun argued Democrats in the Legislature have framed the argument over vehicular police pursuits as a false choice between protecting life and protecting property. He claimed Democrats have quoted bad data and ignored the experiences of police and victims of crime and argued Democrats were engaging in a “dereliction of duty.”
“I believe our law enforcement officers are trained and capable of making good choices regarding pursuits and should be trusted to do so. The majority’s maneuvering on this issue demonstrates a clear lack of trust in the police, which has been part of a larger assault against law enforcement. And we are all suffering because of it. Crime is out of control. The police need more tools, not fewer,” Braun said.
Braun added he believes Democrats will claim to have acted on the issue of police pursuits despite Braun arguing SB 5352 is inadequate.
“I voted no because SB 5352 is simply not enough. This is not over. Republicans will continue to fight for additional pursuit reform. We must do better,” Braun said.
