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By Mark Schoesler
Washington State Senator 

Limiting police pursuits doesn't make sense

 

Last updated 6/6/2022 at 3:30pm



Many of you are aware that public safety in our state took a major hit last year when Democrats in the Legislature passed a “police reform” law that prevented law enforcement officers from pursuing criminal suspects in most situations.

Since this bad law went into effect, police and other law enforcement officers typically have had to watch suspects drive off, sometimes in vehicles that they had stolen, instead of giving chase in hopes of apprehending and arresting them.

One of the Senate Democrats who pushed for the vehicle pursuit restrictions, 45th District Sen. Manka Dhingra, recently wrote a guest editorial in The Seattle Times in which she offers reasons why not all crimes should result in high-speed chases by law enforcement to capture criminals.

She wrote: "To pursue a fleeing vehicle, police must have probable cause to believe a person in it has committed a violent crime or sex offense, or have reasonable suspicion the driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.”


We should not tell law enforcement when they can and cannot pursue a suspect.

Year-round

Even though this year's legislative session is over, I'm your state senator year-round.

If you wish to discuss an issue or concern with me, or if you need help with a problem involving state government, please reach out to me by email at [email protected] or give my legislative office a call at 360-786-7620.

I'd like to hear from you.

— Sen. Mark Schoesler represents the 9th Legislative District, including Adams County and Ritzville. Email him at [email protected].

 

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