OLYMPIA – This week, Rep. Tarra Simmons (D-Bremerton) introduced a pair of policies designed to increase trust and bring community together over shared values.
House Bill 2644 The Law Enforcement Body Worn Camera Act
This bill will create a uniform statewide standard requiring all law enforcement officers to have and activate their body worn cameras during law enforcement encounters. The bill also allows anyone who is the subject of an interaction captured by a body worn camera to request a copy of the recording at no cost.
House Bill 2643 Ensuring due process when placing a police officer on the Brady List
The so-called Brady List is a list of officers who have credibility issues such as a pattern of dishonesty, making false statements, misconduct, or excessive use of force. The list is kept by prosecutors’ offices. Prosecutors have to share the list with defense attorneys because it could cast doubt on an officer’s credibility if the officer were called as a witness in a criminal case.
Placement on the Brady List is typically at the discretion of the prosecutors’ offices. However, it is difficult for officers to fight the placement or come off the List.
HB 2643 would allow officers the ability to petition the superior court, appeal, or otherwise intervene in a prosecuting attorney’s decision to place the officer on the Brady List. The Superior Court would then decide whether to reverse the decision and may allow the removal of an officer from the Brady List.
The pair of introduced bills represent a rare collaboration between law enforcement and community advocates.
“I was proud to convene law enforcement, people who have suffered under police violence, and formerly incarcerated people to put this package of legislation together,” said Simmons. “With our shared values of accountability, transparency, and second chances at the center, we were able to rise above the issues that divide us to create policy that will improve public safety in communities across Washington.”
“These two bills reflect what is possible when community voices, lawmakers, and law enforcement sit at the same table and work in good faith,” said Jeff Anaya, president of the Washington State Fraternal Order of Police. “The Brady–Giglio legislation protects constitutional due process while preserving prosecutors’ disclosure obligations, and the body-worn camera bill advances transparency with clear, uniform standards that protect both the public and officers. The Washington State Fraternal Order of Police supports thoughtful reforms like these because they strengthen trust, accountability, and professionalism across our justice system.”
“As an advocate I have always called for ‘Conversations On Both Sides Of The Badge’ and this Brady List Due Process bill is a great beginning to help address some potential unintended consequences in these important and needed police accountability processes,” said Kurtis Robinson, Executive Director of I Did the Time/Revive Center for Returning Citizens. “The Body Worn Camera legislation also helps potentially address some very, very obvious gaps. It helps make sure that all of our human family, those in law enforcement and the public being served, have more clear, consistent and robust mechanisms for use, storage and viewing especially concerning our impacted families and the public who have traditionally had great struggles in being able to view such materials.”
The legislation is currently under consideration by the Washington State Legislature. The 60-day session concludes March 12.