Task force favors change in law that ‘safeguards’ police

Update:A state task force voted in favor of removing “malice” and “good faith” from a law that, as it is written now, makes it nearly impossible to prosecute an officer who uses deadly force.

The Use of Deadly Force in Community Policing task force voted 14-10 Monday to send the recommendation to lawmakers. Both the state House and Senate would have to pass the change in order for it to become law.

KIRO 7 reports police officers on the task force fought to keep the malice standard.

“For me to be able to use deadly force, it has to be I have to be in imminent jeopardy, correct? Do I have do know that gun is loaded? Does that gun have to be pointed at me? How long does it take for somebody to draw a handgun and point it at somebody and shoot? Where is ‘imminent’ there?” said Sgt. Rich Phillips, of the Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs.

Doug Baldwin says law change would help restore faith

In order for police to begin the journey of restoring faith within the communities they serve, Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin says the state needs to remove what he and others have called a safeguard for law enforcement and pay for proper training.

Baldwin told the Use of Deadly Force in Community Policing task force Monday morning that a state law passed in 1986 needs to be changed. The law in question keeps officers from facing criminal charges if they use deadly force, unless prosecutors can prove they acted with malice and without good faith.

Related: Survey finds higher approval for Seattle police

Baldwin, along with many others, has called for the removal of “with malice” within the law. By doing that, Baldwin says a “clear message” to the community would be sent, in that law enforcement members understand the gravity of the decisions they make.

The law in question gained attention after several police-involved shootings, including that of Che Taylor. Taylor’s family responded to Che’s death by fighting for a change in the law, which is titled: Justifiable homicide or use of deadly force by public officer, peace officer, person aiding.

However, that’s just the beginning. “Good faith” should also be removed from the language of how the law is written, Baldwin says. And the state should allocate funding to properly train officers “so the state can be seen as a leader in that regard.”

Baldwin has become increasingly vocal over the issue of police shootings.

Baldwin turned his attention to the national conversation, previously demanding that the attorneys general for all 50 states call for a review of police training policies.

Baldwin said he is speaking up now because the situation has become “intolerable.”

“The conversation has gotten to the point where, yes, the situation that’s upon us right now, what’s going on in our country, it’s devastating,” Baldwin said previously. “… We cannot tolerate this. Lives are being lost and there are questions that need to be answered and people deserve an answer and I think that’s where we’re at right now.”

Baldwin has also met with Seattle Mayor Ed Murray and the Seattle Police Department, and reportedly formed a “Building Bridges” task force, which he says has helped him get in contact with members of the law enforcement and Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson.

When previously asked if he’s embracing a role as a city leader, Baldwin said: “I wouldn’t go that far and say all that but, to me, it’s a no-brainer … I see a problem in my community, I see something where I might be able to have an impact and I want to be able to do what I can. That’s the way my mother and father raised me and I can’t help but be empathetic for the community, for the law enforcement and put myself in their shoes and want to do something to help fix the problem.”

Of course, Baldwin was just one of many who testified in front of the task force on Monday. Kent Keel, a Republican on the University Place council, told the task force that “it’s almost insulting” that people expect the community to believe stories about why the law is still written the way it is.

“No other state has this law,” he said.

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