'It's time to change the narrative': Washington Sheriffs call out state legislators ahead of midterm election
Sheriffs say because of sweeping police reform bills their jobs have become harder and has put public safety at risk.
police reform
'Trust, safety, and accountability': Activist reflects on two year anniversary of George Floyd's death
Floyd's death sparked outrage, which lead to an international protest movement against the ways that police treat Black citizens.
'Don't have faith': Neighbors shocked by string of shootings, demand accountability
SPOKANE, Wash. -- Spokane Police are investigating five shootings across the city in just a couple hours. One woman was shot multiple times, and stray bullets hit…
Police can use force to detain people again. Some are worried police reform progress isn't persisting.
SPOKANE, Wash. -- Governor Inslee is making changes to sweeping police reforms enacted last year. While he says it's a step in…
Spokane Police Chief believes police reform laws caused uptick in crime
SPOKANE, Wash.- Before police reform bills kicked in last July in Washington, officers could pursue people based on reasonable suspicion. Now, they need probable…
'Never should have happened': Activists rally in Spokane to voice concerns over changing state's police reform laws
SPOKANE, Wa. -- Police reform activists rallied on Monday at the steps of the Spokane Courthouse against the rollbacks of the new laws…
Proposed bill would bring clarification around law enforcement's 'use of force'
SPOKANE, Wash. -- Law enforcement officers say they've been working in a grey area due to the police reform bills that passed last year. However, a new bill…
The Basic Law Enforcement Academy makes changes to what it teaches incoming officers
SPOKANE, Wa. -- The state of Washington has 26 new officers, with 11 of them in Spokane, working to protect the public and keep families safe.…
Beanbag shotguns replaced by $160K worth of pepper ball guns at Spokane County Sheriff's Office
The new pepper guns, from Byrna technologies, shoot a ball filled with the same thing as in pepper spray from further away.
Spokane City Council greenlights funding to get SPD PepperBall launchers
The police department said getting more of the PepperBall launchers would "make this less-lethal tool reasonably available to all officers working in a patrol capacity."
Legal memo says Washington's reform law doesn’t prevent police response
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — A legal memo from the Washington Attorney General’s office says that the state’s new police use-of-force law does not prevent officers from responding to non-criminal calls like mental health and other community welfare calls. Several Washington…
Confusion besets new police reform laws in Washington state
SEATTLE (AP) — Washington state is embarking on a massive experiment in police reform and accountability following the racial justice protests that erupted after George Floyd’s murder last year, as nearly a dozen laws took effect Sunday. But two months…
'It will place individuals at a greater risk': Police worry about new laws, social justice groups welcome the changes
On Sunday, new policing laws changed how law enforcement responds in emergency situations. Decades long tactics are going away as Washington reforms how police serve and protect.
'It's absolutely necessary': Advocates reaffirm need for new police reform laws
Big changes are coming this weekend in the way Washington police respond to crimes. Law enforcement officers across the state are frustrated and confused with the new laws going into effect.
Eastern Washington law enforcement leaders concerned about new reform laws
Law enforcement leaders from across Eastern Washington gathered on Thursday to address their concerns regarding new reform laws which will soon go into effect.
Local police sharpen skills to help those in crisis
Sweeping police reform is going into effect on Sunday. Many common policing practices are going away including chokeholds, neck restraints and "no knock" warrants. With these changes comes more emphasis on crisis prevention.
Gov. Inslee signs sweeping police reform measures
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Tuesday signed one of the nation’s most ambitious packages of police accountability legislation, prompted by last year’s outcry for racial justice following the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and other Black people at the hands of police.
Washington Legislature gives final OK to police reform bills
The Washington Legislature has approved two more key police accountability bills — one imposing restrictions on tactics and equipment, and another establishing a statewide standard on use of force.
City streets, war zone weapons: Washington lawmaker wants military surplus weapons out of hands of local police
It's been a long-standing issue: demilitarizing the police. Does it make a community safer or place it at risk?
AG Ferguson to conduct inquiry into 2020 'deadly force' investigations statewide
Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson is conducting a statewide inquiry into all uses of deadly force by law enforcement in 2020.
Activists demand police reform outside Spokane City Hall on Juneteenth
Each year, thousands of people nationwide commemorate June 19- the day a group of enslaved people in Texas learned they were finally free. It’s been over 150 years, but local activists in Spokane say there’s still work to be done.
Protesters to hold moment of silence for 8 minutes, 46 seconds outside of Spokane City Hall
Protesters will gather outside of Spokane's City Hall on Friday afternoon as part of a statewide call to action about police brutality and reform.
Spokane City Council President lays out ideas for police reform
SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane City Council President Breean Beggs says police reform is a top priority for council members. He posted a list of 17 ideas the council…
Inslee calls for legislative action in WA following George Floyd’s death
During a press conference Monday, Gov. Jay Inslee called for the state to take legislative action regarding law enforcement amid nationwide protests demanding justice for the death of George Floyd.
