SPOKANE, Wash. — Impersonating a law enforcement officer in Washington could soon come with higher consequences – and more specific rules.
This comes after the House of Representatives passed a bill yesterday that, if approved by the senate and governor, would make impersonating law enforcement a gross misdemeanor and bar people from making or wearing a badge, or other identifying markers.
While the measure has drawn mixed opinions from legislators, Governor Bob Ferguson has advocated for the change as a way to deter people from impersonating Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
“If you’re not a law enforcement officer, you shouldn’t be able to wear something that gives the impression you are,” Ferguson said in a post on X today. “My bill to establish that just passed the House. I’m looking forward to signing it and addressing the dangerous increase in ICE impersonation incidents.”
While it is already illegal to impersonate law enforcement in the state, House Bill 2165 says that people are “guilty of false identification as a peace officer” if they make, provide or possess a card, document, badge, insignia, shoulder emblem or vehicle to present themselves as law enforcement.
By making such impersonation a gross misdemeanor, it could come with a penalty of up to 364 days in jail and a fine of up to $5,000.
Some representatives at yesterday’s House floor session agreed with the governor’s position, saying that the bill would protect people from deception.
“Most people will not question when somebody is wearing a badge, claims to be an officer or creates the impression of having law enforcement authority,” said Rep. Edwin Obras from SeaTac, who represents the 33rd District. “That stems from trust. Unfortunately, it is that trust that is being exploited.”
However, other representatives argued that the bill’s language was too ambiguous to be consistently enforced. Others said it was unnecessary since existing laws already prohibit impersonating law enforcement.
Republicans raised questions on whether the definition of federal peace officer in the legislation would include ICE agents.
“This is absolutely not something that I can support,” said Rep. Jenny Graham from Spokane, who represents the 6th District. “Should we absolutely be supporting our law enforcement? Yes, but Mr. Speaker, we wouldn’t be in this position if we were already following federal law.”
The law still needs approval in the senate before heading to the governor’s desk.
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