Who: Rep. Roger Goodman, D-Kirkland, Chair of the House Public Safety Committee and Sen. Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, Chair of the Senate Law & Justice Committee
What: Public hearing on Initiative 940 during a joint meeting of the House Public Safety Committee and Senate Law & Justice Committee
When: Tuesday, February 20, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: House Hearing Room A, John L. O’Brien Building
Why: Initiative 940 is a proposal to update Washington state’s law on the use of deadly force in community policing. The initiative, brought forward by community advocates, revises the deadly force statute to remove the requirement to prove “malice” to expose law enforcement to criminal liability, and changes the “good faith” standard, which could be used to justify police use of deadly force. In addition, the initiative requires law enforcement officers to complete de-escalation and mental health training, and establishes a state policy requiring law enforcement to administer first aid in an effort to preserve life.