An initiative amending Washington state’s controversial police pursuit law passed on Monday.
Initiative 2113 will amend the state’s controversial police pursuit law by restoring the authority of a police officer to engage in a pursuit when there is reasonable suspicion a person has violated the law.
In 2021, state lawmakers passed legislation that increased the threshold for evidence required for a police pursuit.
In 2023, lawmakers lowered the threshold for police to pursue a suspect from probable cause to reasonable suspicion for limited crimes. The limited crimes included violent offense, sex offense, or an escape; or DUI, vehicular assault, and domestic violence assault in the first, second, third, or fourth-degree offense.
Despite the adjustment, the law has been blamed for an increase in crimes, like car thefts.
Full story: Legislators pass initiative to roll back Washington state’s controversial police pursuit law