Tag Archives: crime

Holy attends ribbon-cutting event for new law-enforcement training center

Sen. Jeff Holy, the Republican leader on the Senate Law and Justice Committee, joined a handful of other legislators and statewide officials at today’s ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new law-enforcement training center in Arlington. Gov. Bob Ferguson and Monica Alexander, executive director of the state Criminal Justice Training Commission, spoke at the event.

“This new training facility was built to provide state-of-the-art training for incoming recruits to become highly effective law-enforcement officers in Washington,” said Holy, R-Cheney.

The new Northwest Regional Campus includes a Basic Law Enforcement Academy for 60 recruits a year, as well as advanced training for current officers. The facility has modern features and utilizes the latest technology, including a virtual reality simulation system that will place recruits in real-world policing situations, plus two simulation houses with movable walls for building searches and tactical training.

“This center is a good example of why our state needs to wisely spend money on law-enforcement officer recruitment and retention – to take full advantage of this specialized training,” added Holy. This session he has introduced Senate Bill 5060, which would have the state Criminal Justice Training Commission develop and implement a grant program to help local and tribal governments hire law-enforcement officers. A $100 million appropriation from the state general fund would support the grant program.

“Crime continues to be a problem in Washington,” said Holy, a retired Spokane police detective who serves the 6th Legislative District. “We rank among the worst states in several categories, including murders, auto theft and retail theft. A key reason is that we also rank 51st nationally for the number of law-enforcement officers per capita. By recruiting and training more officers in facilities like the new one in Arlington, we can help increase the number of officers in more communities, helping to make them safer.”

Senate panel passes Holy bill to help hire more law-enforcement officers

A bipartisan bill prime-sponsored by Sen. Jeff Holy to increase public safety by boosting the number of law-enforcement officers in Washington communities was approved by the Senate Law and Justice Committee today.

Senate Bill 5060 would have the state Criminal Justice Training Commission develop and implement a grant program to help local and tribal governments hire law-enforcement officers. A $100 million appropriation from the state general fund would support the grant program.

“It’s good to see this bill move forward because crime is a growing problem in our state,” said Holy, R-Cheney. “Washington ranks among the worst states in several categories, including murders, auto theft and retail theft. A key reason is that we also rank 51st nationally for the number of law-enforcement officers per capita. As a retired police officer, I know we need more officers in our communities and on our roads.”

Holy, the Republican leader on the Law and Justice Committee, said he appreciates recent public comments by Gov. Bob Ferguson in support of the measure.

“During his inaugural address to legislators last week, Governor Ferguson said he would not sign a new operating budget if it did not provide the $100 million in funding for this program. It’s a clear signal that he not only understands the need to increase the number of law-enforcement officers in our state but also believes the best route is through this proposed grant program. It’s all about making our communities safer,” said Holy, who represents the 6th Legislative District.

SB 5060 also would require the CJTC to establish policies for grant applications from local agencies, including review criteria and reporting requirements from local governments, and annually report on the grant program’s utilization, application and hiring data.

Before approving the measure, the committee adopted an amendment offered by Sen. Manka Dhingra, D-Redmond, chair of the Law and Justice Committee.

Several people testified in support of SB 5060 during the Law and Justice Committee’s public hearing on the proposal Tuesday morning, including officials from the governor’s office, city of Tacoma, Washington Retail Association, and the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs. Mercer Island Mayor Salim Nice also testified in favor of the bill.

The measure is co-sponsored by Dhingra and 11 other senators, Republicans and Democrats alike.

TVW’s coverage of the public hearing on SB 5060 may be viewed here.

 

MEDIA ADVISORY: Senate panel to hear Holy bill seeking $100 million to help hire more law-enforcement officers

A bipartisan bill prime-sponsored by Sen. Jeff Holy, R-Cheney, to increase public safety by boosting the number of law-enforcement officers in Washington communities will receive a public hearing in the Senate Law and Justice Committee at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21.

Senate Bill 5060 would have the state Criminal Justice Training Commission develop and implement a grant program to help local and tribal governments hire law-enforcement officers. A $100 million appropriation from the state general fund would support the grant program.

The Law and Justice Committee meeting on Tuesday will be held in Senate Hearing Room 4 in the John A. Cherberg Building on the Capitol Campus in Olympia.

The bill is co-sponsored by Sen. Manka Dhingra, D-Redmond, chair of the Law and Justice Committee, and 11 other senators, Republicans and Democrats alike.

Gov. Bob Ferguson has publicly expressed support for the proposal introduced by Holy, who is the ranking Republican on the Law and Justice Committee.

Holy bill seeks $100 million to help hire more law-enforcement officers

Sen. Jeff Holy, the new Republican leader on the Senate Law and Justice Committee, has introduced a bipartisan bill ahead of the 2025 legislative session that aims to increase public safety by boosting the number of law-enforcement officers in Washington communities.

Holy’s proposal, Senate Bill 5060, would have the state Criminal Justice Training Commission develop and implement a grant program to help local and tribal governments hire law-enforcement officers. A $100 million appropriation from the state general fund would support the grant program.

“Crime is a growing problem in our state,” said Holy, R-Cheney. “Washington ranks among the worst states in several categories, including murders, auto theft and retail theft. A key reason is that we also rank 51st nationally for the number of law-enforcement officers per capita.

“As a retired police officer, I know we need more officers in our communities and on our roads,” said Holy, who serves the 6th Legislative District. “One of Governor-elect Ferguson’s campaign pledges this year was to increase the number of law-enforcement officers in our state – via a statewide grant program. I strongly agree with him on this issue, which is why I’m again sponsoring a bill that would add more officers throughout Washington. This could really help make our communities safer.”

SB 5060 also would require the CJTC to establish policies for applications from local agencies, including review criteria and reporting requirements from local governments, and annually report on the grant program’s utilization, application and hiring data.

The bill is co-sponsored by Sen. Manka Dhingra, chair of the Law and Justice Committee. The measure is expected to be sent to that committee for consideration.

The 105-day legislative session is scheduled to start Jan. 13 and end April 27.

Holy becomes Republican leader on Senate Law and Justice Committee

Sen. Jeff Holy will become the Republican leader on the Senate Law and Justice Committee when the Washington Legislature’s 2025 session begins Jan. 13.

“Crime is still a problem throughout our state and Washingtonians expect the Legislature to do all it can to reduce crime and improve public safety,” said Holy, a retired Spokane police officer. “I look forward to working with other Law and Justice Committee members to develop and pass bills that will help make our state safer and cut crime.”

In becoming the top-ranking Republican on the Law and Justice Committee, Holy replaces Spokane Valley Sen. Mike Padden, who is retiring at the end of this year.

Holy will continue serving on the Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee and Senate Transportation Committee. The 6th District senator will no longer serve on the Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee.

The 105-day legislative session is scheduled to end April 27.

Senate panel passes Holy bill to help communities hire more officers

A bipartisan bill sponsored by 6th District Sen. Jeff Holy that aims to reestablish public safety across Washington by halting an exodus of law-enforcement officers has been passed by the Senate Law and Justice Committee.

Senate Bill 5361 would provide cities and counties with more funding to hire more officers.

“Washington now has fewer law-enforcement officers per capita than any state. This decrease in officers, combined with the sharp increase in crime, is making communities less safe,” said Holy, R-Cheney. “Restoring public safety is one of the main priorities for our Senate Republican Caucus this session. This bill would help cities and counties hire more officers, which can only help reduce crime.”

During the committee’s public hearing on SB 5361 on Tuesday, several officials with local-government agencies or organizations and law-enforcement agencies testified strongly in favor of the proposal, including the Washington State Association of Counties, Association of Washington Cities, Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs, Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, Clark County Sheriff John Horch, Port Angeles Police Chief Brian Smith and Lewis County Commissioner Sean Swope. Representatives with the Downtown Spokane Partnership and Washington Retail Association also testified in support of the measure.

“The positive testimony on this bill by local government and law enforcement clearly shows this would be an effective way to reduce crime and improve public safety in our communities,” said Holy. “Smaller cities and counties often can’t afford to pay their portion for future officers to attend a police academy, and they sometimes can’t afford to replace officers who are leaving the force or retiring. This bill would promote having an adequate number of officers on the streets to keep our communities safer.”

Holy’s proposal has two components. First, it would direct 0.1% of the current state sales tax to local governments to let them hire more law-enforcement personnel. The bill is expected to produce about $250 million a year to help cities and counties hire more officers. The revenues would be used by local governments to hire law-enforcement officers up to at least the national average per capita (2.4 per 1,000). Once that threshold is reached, local governments could use the funds in ways they consider best to reduce crime.

“This bill would not raise taxes but instead would redirect existing revenue toward hiring more law-enforcement officers,” explained Holy.

SB 5361 also would increase the number of training classes at the state’s basic law enforcement academy to a minimum of 25 per year.

“There is a long backlog at the academy, which is causing hired officers to have to wait several months to get the training they need to be on patrol. More training slots mean more hired officers can get to work in communities sooner,” said Holy.

SB 5361, which was approved by the Law and Justice Committee late last week, now goes to the Senate Ways and Means Committee for further consideration.

Local-government, law-enforcement officials testify in favor of Holy bill to help communities hire more officers

Sen. Jeff Holy’s effort to reestablish public safety across Washington by halting an exodus of law-enforcement officers received strong support when it came before the Senate Ways and Means Committee yesterday.

Officials with local-government organizations and law-enforcement agencies testified firmly in favor of the 6th District senator’s proposal, Senate Bill 5841, which would provide cities and counties with more funding to hire more officers.

“The positive testimony clearly shows this would be an effective way to reduce crime and improve public safety in our communities,” said Holy, R-Cheney. “Smaller cities and counties often can’t afford to pay their portion for future officers to attend a police academy, and they sometimes can’t afford to replace officers who are leaving the force or retiring. This bill would promote having an adequate number of officers on the streets to keep our communities safer.”

Officials with the Association of Washington Cities, Washington Association of Counties, and Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs testified in support of SB 5841, as did Wenatchee Police Chief Steve Crown and Clallam County Sheriff Bill Benedict.

“Washington now has fewer law-enforcement officers per capita than any state, and the decrease in officers, combined with the sharp increase in crime, is making communities less safe,” said Holy. “Restoring public safety is one of the main priorities for our Senate Republican Caucus this session. This bill would help cities and counties hire more officers and reduce crime.”

Holy’s proposal has two components. First, it would direct 0.1% of the current state sales tax to local governments to let them hire more law-enforcement personnel. The bill is expected to produce about $250 million a year to help cities and counties hire more officers. The revenues would be used by local governments to hire law-enforcement officers up to at least the national average per capita (2.4 per 1,000). Once that threshold is reached, local governments could use the funds in ways they consider best to reduce crime.

SB 5841 also would increase the number of training classes at the state’s basic law enforcement academy to a minimum of 25 per year.

“There is a long backlog that is causing hired officers to have to wait several months to get the training they need to be on patrol. More training slots mean more hired officers can get to work in their communities sooner,” said Holy.

Holy proposes bill to restore public safety by helping communities hire officers

An exodus of law-enforcement officers has weakened public safety across Washington. Legislation introduced this week by 6th District Sen. Jeff Holy aims to reverse this dangerous and disturbing trend. His Senate Bill 5841 would provide cities and counties with more funding to hire more law enforcement officers.

“Over the past few years, we’ve seen a large number of police officers and deputy sheriffs leave their jobs, whether it’s caused by strong opposition to law enforcement by some groups or laws passed by Democrat legislators that make it harder to apprehend criminals,” said Holy, a retired Spokane police officer and the Washington senator with the most experience in law enforcement.

“Washington now has fewer law-enforcement officers per capita than any state, and the decrease in officers, combined with the sharp increase in crime, is making communities less safe. Restoring public safety is one of the main priorities for our Senate Republican Caucus this session. This bill would help cities and counties hire more officers and reduce crime.”

Holy’s proposal has two components. First, it would direct 0.1% of the current state sales tax to local governments to let them hire more law-enforcement personnel. The bill is expected to produce about $250 million a year to help cities and counties hire more officers. The revenues would be used by local governments to hire law-enforcement officers up to at least the national average per capita (2.4 per 1,000). Once that threshold is reached, local governments could use the funds in ways they consider best to reduce crime.

SB 5841 also would increase the number of training classes at the state’s basic law enforcement academy to a minimum of 25 per year. “There is a long backlog that is causing hired officers to have to wait several months to get the training they need to be on patrol. More training slots mean more hired officers can get to work in their communities sooner,” said Holy.

The bill has been referred to the Senate Law and Justice Committee for consideration.