Granato asks police chiefs to support bill on random testing

By JENNIFER HENRICHSEN

FOR THE YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC

LACEY, Wash. -- The Washington
Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs agreed Wednesday to support random drug testing for all public safety employees but stopped short of endorsing specific legislation that would make it possible.

Yakima Police Chief Sam Granato, a member of the association's executive board, had hoped to get full-fledged support for a bill that's expected to be introduced at the request of the city of Yakima. If approved, it would allow local communities to require random drug testing of police officers and sheriff's deputies through a public vote.

In Yakima, the police union has expressed concerns that random drug testing would violate officers' constitutional rights. Union lawyer Jim Cline predicted earlier this week that the legislative proposal would face strong resistance from rank-and-file cops across the state.

But during a meeting of his administrator peers, Granato argued that citizens deserve some assurance that the people responding to emergency situations are drug-free.

"At the end of the day, everyone has to search their conscience and choose the right thing to do," he told the association's 15-member executive board. "We need to show we support the legislation and don't oppose."

Getting support from the WASPC, the statewide lobbying organization that represents Washington's police chiefs and sheriffs, would give Yakima's political efforts in Olympia an important boost.

But board members said Wednesday they're not ready to get behind the bill until they discuss the issue with police union officials. They seemed most interested in getting unified support from the law enforcement community on proposed legislation -- whether it involves random drug testing or any other public safety issue.

Colleen Wilson, chief of the Port of Seattle Police Department, said she supports the concept of drug-testing legislation, "but the specifics could stick in someone's craw."

She added, "We need to at least challenge (the unions) to join us in professionalism ... then we can 'square off' later."

Mike Lasnier, chief of police for the Suquamish Tribe, who attended the meeting but is not on the executive board, said he thinks Yakima's legislative proposal "was brought too late" to be addressed by the statewide organization. He added, though, that he believes random drug testing for law enforcement officers is a "no-brainer."

Under current policy, Yakima conducts drug testing of police officers based on a "reasonable suspicion," which requires some evidence, such as reddened eyes or other possible signs of drug use. Granato sought to have random drug testing included as part of the contract agreement with Yakima's police union, but union officials have argued that it would violate an officer's protection against unreasonable search and seizure, and that random testing lacks proper safeguards.

An arbitrator agreed with the union and ruled that the current system was sufficient, which prompted the city to pursue legislation.

At the Wednesday meeting of sheriffs and police chiefs, the main focus was on drug testing of public safety employees. But legislation regarding police eluding, gangs and sex offenders was also on the agenda.

Eluding

The association's executive director, Don Pierce, was optimistic about legislation that would stiffen penalties on drivers who flee police and cause a car chase that endangers others.

Last year's legislation was approved in the House but died in the Senate, where it was opposed by Democrat Adam Kline, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. He wasn't convinced it would be an effective deterrent.

The bill was prompted by a 2006 crash that killed two young men in Yakima and is up for consideration again this year.

Pierce said he plans to meet with Olympia officials in the next few days to discuss the issue further. In the meantime, Granato has asked the sheriffs and police chiefs' board members to send examples of eluding cases to the association's staff in order to strengthen support for legislation.

Gang legislation

House Bill 2712, concerning street gangs, was formally introduced in the House on Tuesday. Reps. Christopher Hurst, D-Enumclaw; Charles Ross, R-Naches; and Mary Lou Dickerson, D-Seattle, are sponsors. A key part of the bill would establish a statewide intelligence database.

The association's board of executives seemed hopeful the legislation would move forward.

Sex offender legislation

Gov. Chris Gregoire is requesting $5 million for a grant program to improve sex offender monitoring. Police would get additional money to conduct in-person visits with sex offenders. Low-risk offenders would get annual checks under the plan, with the highest-risk sex criminals being visited four times a year.

At the Wednesday meeting, Pierce proposed that the statewide sheriffs and police chiefs group draft eligibility and disbursement requirements to help determine where the money should be spent. With the new state money, the association could implement measures for face-to-face verification of sex offenders, up to four times annually for level-3 sex offenders, Pierce said.