Chelan city officials are hoping you'll get in touch with your state representatives in Olympia and urge them to vote “no” on House Bill 1025. The bill, if it becomes law, would create a process to sue police officers in state court for using excessive force or taking other actions that violate individual rights without the possibility of “qualified immunity” as a defense. What is “qualified immunity?” Chelan City Councilman Mark Ericks – who's a former Bothell Police chief – explains:
The bill, Ericks says, spawns from the general unrest in the country over the past few years:
Ericks says he's heard from his peers on the difficulty they're having recruiting new officers; this bill, he fears, will only make it harder.
House Bill 1025 is sponsored by Seattle Representative My-Linh Thai, and is currently in the House Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee.
Meanwhile, at Tuesday's City Council meeting, the council approved the development agreement for the Apple Blossom Center, an agreement for improvements to Darnell's Pump Station, an agreement for designing an irrigation system for the putting course at Don Morse Park, and design services for Lakeside Park.