Following the recent acquittal of three Tacoma police officers who were charged with the second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter in the death of Manuel Ellis, who died in police custody after saying he couldn’t breath, Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, announced plans for introducing a striking amendment to an existing legislative proposal shielding officers from “frivolous legal actions.”
The proposed legislation in question, House Bill 1025, currently aims to create a private right of action for harm stemming from violations of the Washington state constitution or by police officers, according to a news release.
Should HB 1025 make it to the House floor, Walsh’s striking amendment will remove most of the bill’s text and insert an entirely new bill.
"My striking amendment changes virtually every element of the ill-advised HB 1025," Walsh said in the release. "You can think of this amendment as a 'best of' compilation, a set of enhancements to a bill sorely in need of improvement — many of which were submitted during last year's legislative session."
Walsh stated his amendment offers a balance between providing a meaningful legal remedy under state law for those injured or killed due to law enforcement actions while protecting police from “malicious” lawsuits, which threaten the financial stability of police departments.
Walsh stated he believes the amendment is needed to restore law enforcement’s ability to carry out their duties.
“Over the past six years, Olympia has systematically eroded the capacity of law enforcement to execute their duties and maintain law and order. This erosion has led to escalating crime rates across our state, particularly in violent crimes,” Walsh said. “If implemented, this legislative modification will fortify our communities, secure our streets, safeguard our businesses, and improve the overall quality of life throughout Washington state.”
He also believed it is imperative to pass this to help improve police recruiting numbers, according to the news release.
“Messing up qualified immunity has resulted in fewer police and more crime,” Walsh added.
To view HB 1025, visit https://app.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/ and search by bill number.
The 2024 legislative session is set to convene on Jan. 8.
