Thanks for your comments. First, a little disclaimer, I didn't write the title. And true, I do like to set a positive tone, something that I think is sorely lacking in much pubic discourse and writing. Plus I believe that the subject of my editorial is indeed good news, and will help improve our public safety system for both the general public and the police. On the other hand, having studied the bills and spoken to a number of people including Olympia's Police Chief, I do think the response to the original bill by many police departments was unreasonable, nor respectful of the intent of legislature, and at times ingenuous. That response was a significant factor that caused hardships to the public and other agencies. This then necessitated the revisions to the original bill, revisions which did not change the bill's intent with respect to force, but simply clarified the legislature's direction so the police had to resume their previous duties.
I don't consider myself anti-police, and appreciate the complexity of their job and the necessary purpose they serve. But I also acknowledge the serious problems that exist with respect to police violence and culture that absolutely must be addressed. And I very pleased to see legislation like this and the steps our local governments are taking to address these problems.
Please explain the inappropriate content below.
