Legislature to decide on high-speed pursuits

OLYMPIA – An initiative aimed at giving police wider discretion on when they engage in high-speed pursuits was forwarded to the Legislature on Jan. 11.

Secretary of State Steve Hobbs notified the Legislature petitions for Initiative 2113 meet all legal requirements.

Initiative 2113 backers want to amend a law on police pursuit that passed in 2021, which requires officers to have “probable cause” instead of “reasonable suspicion” to engage in pursuits. Critics say that measure hinders law enforcement officers who want to pursue possible lawbreakers. Backers say high-speed chases can turn deadly...