A 2021 law expanded Washington’s power to decertify police officers. Records show cops still avoid consequences

An InvestigateWest review shows how Washington police agencies keep hiring cops accused of serious misconduct

By: Melanie Henshaw

Outlets: InvestigateWest

Published: August 11, 2026

Words: 3,163

Last Updated: 4 weeks, 2 days ago

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In 2021, Washington lawmakers expanded the state's power to strip cops of their certification. In an effort to keep officers fired for certain types of misconduct out of law enforcement, they passed a law requiring police agencies across the state to quickly report officer separations and misconduct to the state’s Criminal Justice Training Commission and strengthened the agency’s ability to investigate and revoke certifications.

But an InvestigateWest analysis of state employment records since 2000 raises …

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