WashingtonInvestigations director may review police force cases and records
The investigations director may pursue certain police force cases, and some related records remain private until a prosecutor receives the case.
What it does
The director may investigate deadly force and deaths that may have resulted from other police force. The director may also review earlier cases when new evidence appears.
Investigation files are confidential until the matter goes to a prosecutor for a charging decision. Other related records are protected only when they reveal personal private information.
Argument forKeeping investigation files and sensitive personal details private may protect people involved while the office reviews an incident.
Argument againstPeople seeking records may have to wait for a prosecutor’s charging decision, which could delay public review of an investigation.
More detail
The director may order an investigation into certain police force incidents or review an earlier investigation when new evidence appears. This covers incidents involving an officer who was on duty, or an off-duty officer exercising police powers or using duty-issued equipment. For an earlier investigation, new evidence must be brought forward that was not included in the original investigation. The director may decide not to investigate a case that is outside the office’s jurisdiction or is not a priority. Investigations should be completed within 120 days after the office accepts a case. If the office cannot meet that goal, the director must report the reasons for the delay to the advisory board.
The law treats certain Office of Independent Investigations records as confidential and exempts them from public inspection and copying. These rules cover records connected to the office’s reviews and investigations. Investigation records remain confidential until the matter is referred to a prosecutor to decide whether to file criminal charges. Other related records are protected only to the extent they reveal personal private information, including information about support services. The protection for investigation files lasts until the matter is referred to a prosecutor for a charging decision.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 24Effective date 6/11/2026.Latest
- Mar 24Chapter 174, 2026 Laws.Major
- Mar 24Governor Bob Ferguson signed.Became Law
- Mar 6Delivered to Governor.To Governor
- Mar 6President signed.Passed Senate
- Mar 5Speaker signed.Passed House
- Mar 4Third reading, passed; yeas, 44; nays, 4; absent, 0; excused, 1.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#13). Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 4Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Mar 3Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.Minor
- Mar 2Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
- Mar 2Minority; without recommendation.Minor
- Mar 2WM - Majority; do pass.Minor
- Mar 2Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 10:30 AM.
- Feb 27Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 2:30 PM.
- Feb 26Referred to Ways & Means.Minor
- Feb 26And refer to Ways & Means.Minor
- Feb 26TRAN - Majority; without recommendation.
- Feb 26Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 8:00 AM.
- Feb 24Referred to Transportation.Minor
- Feb 24Minority; without recommendation.Minor
- Feb 24And refer to Transportation.Minor
- Feb 24LAW - Majority; do pass.Minor
- Feb 24Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Law & Justice at 8:00 AM.
- Feb 23Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Law & Justice at 10:30 AM.
- Feb 18First reading, referred to Law & Justice.Minor
- Feb 16Third reading, passed; yeas, 90; nays, 6; absent, 0; excused, 2.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#3). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 16Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Feb 16Floor amendment(s) adopted.
- Feb 161st substitute bill substituted (CS 26).Major
- Feb 13Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.Minor
- Feb 4Referred to Rules 2 Review.Minor
- Feb 2CS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.Major
- Feb 2Executive action taken in the House Committee on Community Safety at 1:30 PM.
- Jan 27Public hearing in the House Committee on Community Safety at 4:00 PM.
- Jan 15First reading, referred to Community Safety.Introduced
Criminal JusticePublic SafetyGovernment & Ethics