Coming October 27 Online:

Washington’s New Law Enforcement Reforms: Did We Get it Right…Yet?

At 12:10 p.m., October 27, 2021, the Bellingham City Club will be hosting its next virtual meeting live.  

See below for more information about this program. 

Register in advance at no charge by clicking here.

Registration closes at midnight, Monday, October 25

On the following Tuesday, registrants will receive an email with instructions on how to join the meeting.

As of July 2021, new laws require changes in several law enforcement practices providing guardrails to protect both public safety and the rights of citizens of all backgrounds. Some, however, have interpreted the reforms to limit when an officer can respond, arrest and/or use force.

Are they right? What’s now permissible? With so many experiencing behavioral health crises, who can respond?

Debate abounds about the impacts of this reform legislation. The October 27 City Club program will present perspectives of law enforcement, Tribal leadership, crisis responders and many in the State Legislature as to where we are with implementation.

Please join us to hear the facts and insights of our experts as to the laws’ content and intents, how the laws are being implemented, and what, if any, changes they would like to see.

Our speakers include Senator Jamie Pedersen – 43rd Legislative District, Seattle; Chair, Senate Law & Justice Committee; Steve Strachan – Executive Director, Washington Association of Sheriffs & Police Chiefs (WASPC); Nickolaus Lewis, Lummi Indian Business Council Councilmember, and Jessica Shook, President of Washington Association of Designated Crisis Responders.