OLYMPIA—If an independent state agency is being set up to prosecute police violence, it only makes sense to also set up an independent prosecutor to handle those cases, says Rep. Monica Stonier (D-Vancouver).
“Whether these cases end in injury or death, they are incredibly sensitive and need to be handled fairly,” Stonier said. “To continue fostering trust in communities where trust has been broken, our processes of accountability must be independent of local politics and transparent to the press and public.”
Stonier’s legislation, House Bill 1579, sets up the Office of Independent Prosecutions to review investigations and take necessary action when deadly force is used by law enforcement.
“This legislation is the best way to ensure fairness and justice for both victims of police violence and for police officers,” Stonier said. “It also will help rebuild trust in our criminal justice system.”
The House passed the bill on a 53 to 44 vote. It now moves to the Senate.
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