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Online at this session's first virtual hearing in the House Public Safety Committee on HB 1054--banning chokeholds, the covering of badges, tanks, teargas and more. A really big thank you to Chair @RepGoodman & Vice Chair @RepJesseJohnson.
Rep. Mosbrucker asked if the part around covering badges applies to SWAT and/or undercover cops. The bill specifies it's for uniformed officers. [So IMO, no--SWAT is fed iirc and undercover cops are "plain-clothed police"?]
No-knock warrants are also banned in this bill. Same with firing at a moving vehicle unless necessary [vehicle driving into crowd].
Rep Klippert's hypothetical Q [using a chokehold in self defense] spinning off a correctional officer's death. SO MUCH kudos to @RepJesseJohnson 4responding that a chokehold isn't adequately trained in WA, likely wouldn't change such a result in that situation.
[It's allowed rn]
[It's allowed rn]
Thank you, @Hackney4the11th for clarifying, as a lawyer, that all deadly force is allowed regardless in situations of imminent death.
Sonia Joseph testified, discussing the death of her son, Giovann, at the hands of police. Parts of that and her story are here: https://southseattleemerald.com/2018/01/10/move-to-provide-families-of-police-violence-victims-with-lawyers-passes-committee/
Rep. Klippert just asked Sonia "do you have any evidence to back what you said, that your son wouldn't have been pulled over if he was white"
Fred Thomas describing the police interaction in which his son died. A cop shoved a gun in his back &said "you'll see what we do 2a piece of shit like your son."
All involved got promotions. "I was asked to tell you the story of how my son was murdered. But it's not so unique."
All involved got promotions. "I was asked to tell you the story of how my son was murdered. But it's not so unique."
He says they yelled "we have jackpot" over the radio while his son laid dead.
Rep Klippert asking Fred y not teargas "or water which we used 2use"
Fred responded he had a problem w/it at first b/c it was a bullet killed his son & teargas wouldn't have BUT he learned "military doesn't use teargas against civilians in the theater of war" so changed his mind
Fred responded he had a problem w/it at first b/c it was a bullet killed his son & teargas wouldn't have BUT he learned "military doesn't use teargas against civilians in the theater of war" so changed his mind
We're now hearing from Breean Briggs who does represent police and victims of police saying this is a great bill
Rep. Klippert is wearing a Blue Lives Matter/Thin Blue Line ring as his wedding ring.
His mourning band across his badge he just showed has this as well.
Rep. Klippert is wearing a Blue Lives Matter/Thin Blue Line ring as his wedding ring.
His mourning band across his badge he just showed has this as well.
Welp. If this keeps going the way it has, with people going over time, likely won't be able to testify. Last 4 or 5 testimonies have been police in half/quarter support each going about 5 min each. I think we have til 9:45(?)
Michael McPhearson testifying. A Gulf War combat veteran who was once held captive. He is in much support.
"I can't imagine why police need rockets and rocket launchers...The lethal equipment used for was is used to do precisely that [+always collateral]. (1/2)
"I can't imagine why police need rockets and rocket launchers...The lethal equipment used for was is used to do precisely that [+always collateral]. (1/2)
"Our cities and towns are not battlefields...We didn't serve to see the weapons used in combat used in our nation." Also in WA Coalition for Police Accountability. (2/2)
Sakara Remmu noting the hypocrisy putting the level of proof on testifiers whose families were murdered by police. Centralia WA seeks to militarize and expresses the need as b/c Black and brown people are moving into their communities
WA Troopers Association/Academy(?) agrees that chokeholds be banned except in dire circumstances. "720 hours is simply not enough time to train on such complex issues like racism, de-escalation" another one I missed. -Spike [didn't catch the last name]
WA State Chapter Fraternal Order of Police agrees signed on to the consensus policy for use of force). Chokehold: "These r extremely dangerous maneuvers that can result in serious bodily harm." LVNR: "given the inherent dangerous nature...only used in a deadly force sitch." (1/2)
Neutral on teargas and military equipment. Supports eliminating no-knock warrants. Qualms on dogs & [one other]. (2/2)
