(The Center Square) – There was passionate debate on the floor of the House of Representatives Wednesday over a bill that would make impersonating a law enforcement officer a gross misdemeanor.
Republicans opposed House Bill 2165, raising questions over whether the definition of federal peace officer in the legislation would include federal immigration enforcement. Debate continues in the legislature over whether federal officers can be masked or should be unmasked.
Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank and other critics have said the bill is unnecessary because it’s already illegal to impersonate an officer.
Supporters, including Gov. Bob Ferguson Ferguson, contend the bill is crucial for protecting immigrant communities from dangerous imposters who have, in some instances, posed as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to commit crimes
The national debate about ICE operations has elevated discussion around all public safety bills during the Washington legislative session.
“Ambiguity might lead to confusion or litigation later on,” noted a summary of bill objections. “A brief clarification should be added stating that federal agencies tasked with enforcement are included in the scope of the new offense. Conduct addressed by this bill may already be included in other offenses under current law.”
Rep. Dan Griffey, R-Allyn, intended to vote yes on HB 2165 despite objections from his caucus, but ultimately changed his vote to no, putting him in line with every other House Republican.
He told The Center Square that his background as a long-term firefighter and work to prevent human trafficking left him inclined to fully support the bill.
“There is an alarming uptick in those that outfit their vehicles with police-like regalia and actually pull people over,” he said. “There are instances where a female has been sexually assaulted.
“I was a yes in committee because I want everything in that bill to be prohibited,” he added. “Our side is righteously concerned about the vitriol around ICE and federal partners, which is an opinion I absolutely share. I ultimately changed my vote because of the gut feeling of most of my caucus, not because of what the bill does. I disagree with some in my caucus but when it comes to some of these issues we have to stay together.”
As reported by The Center Square, majority party Democrats are backing a number of bills concerning ICE, including legislation that would prevent any federal immigration officer employed during the second Trump administration from working in Washington state law enforcement.
