New law could allow part-time police

OLYMPIA — Washington state remains 51st in the nation for police officers per capita, and one answer to that problem might be allowing officers to work part-time.

Senate Bill 5424, which awaits the governor’s signature to become law, would allow part-time police officers.

And sponsor Sen. John Lovick, D-Mill Creek, said it would help bring more women into law enforcement.

“The idea behind these flexible work schedules is intended to increase the diversity in Washington law enforcement, to increase the presence of female officers and to retain senior officers who have a lot of value to provide but cannot maintain a standard 40-hour work week,” Lovick said.

His goal is to have a 30% increase in female officers by 2030.

Not all officers will qualify for flexible work schedules.

The law would apply to general and limited authority law enforcement officers and requires an officer to have an unspecified number of years of experience before qualifying.

To protect the workforce from becoming part-time, the flexible work hour program is available for only 3-5 years for each officer.

Until now, officers had to work full-time.

“This would have been valuable to my family,” Algona Police Chief James Schrimpsher said. “This has been a long time coming, and this is something that is needed for our profession.”

Edmonds Police Chief Michelle Bennett said she left law enforcement in 2021 to care for four young children. Six months later, she returned to the department after finding childcare.

“I desperately wish I did not have to take that six months of time away from the retirement system, as it had pretty negative ramifications,” Bennett said. “I know a number of officers who have babies or just had babies who are trying to come back to work. I have folks that are retired that are looking for something to do.”

No one testified against the bill, but some raised concerns about officers’ collective bargaining rights.

Collective bargaining covers things like pay, benefits, hours, time off and workplace safety.

Monica Alexander, the current executive director for the Criminal Justice Training Center, said the bill language should be amended to protect these rights.

“We have single fathers, single mothers, raising children, and maybe this is a great opportunity for them. They can still do their job but have a flexible work shift,” Alexander said. “There is a lot of stress in the law enforcement community, and being able to maybe cut their hours down sometimes can give them the break that they need to take care of their wellness.”

Police training requirements will not change for part-time officers.

This bill would take effect 90 days after the session ended, if the governor signs it into law.

 

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