A 2021 Law Expanded Washington’s Power to Decertify Police Officers. Records Show Cops Still Avoid Consequences

A 2021 law expanded Washington’s power to decertify police officers. Records show cops still avoid consequences

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Washington Police Agencies Keep Hiring Officers Accused of Serious Misconduct Despite a 2021 Decertification Law, Leaving Several Problem Cases Unresolved for Years – Central Recorder Publishing

OLYMPIA, WA — Washington expanded its power to strip police officers of their certifications in 2021, but an InvestigateWest review found that some agencies still hire officers accused of serious misconduct and, in many cases, the state never opens a formal case. The report says unclear legal language, reporting gaps and a long backlog have weakened the law’s reach. That has allowed officers with troubling histories to remain in the profession e…