(The Center Square) – The new Republican leader on the state Senate’s Law & Justice Committee has pre-filed a bipartisan bill to dramatically increase the number of law-enforcement officers in Washington communities.
“Crime is a growing problem in our state,” said Jeff Holy, R-Cheney, in a press release emailed to The Center Square. “Washington ranks among the worst states in several categories, including murders, auto theft and retail theft. A key reason is that we also rank 51st nationally for the number of law enforcement officers per capita.”
Holy’s proposal, Senate Bill 5060 , would have the state Criminal Justice Training Commission develop and implement a grant program to help local and tribal governments hire law-enforcement officers. A $100 million appropriation from the state’s general fund would support the program.
Steve Strachan, executive director of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, told The Center Square it’s encouraging to see Democrats support the bill. Sen. Manka Dhingra, D-Seattle, chair of the Law & Justice Committee, signed on as a co-sponsor.