Washington Gov. Gary Locke has signed domestic violence legislation enacted in a reaction to last year’s case of Tacoma Police Chief David Brame’s fatally shooting his estranged wife and killing himself. One new laws will require every police agency to adopt and enforce tough policies regarding domestic violence when officers are involved or suspected.
The new laws will:
–direct the Washington State Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs to devise a model policy for staff training, reporting requirements and procedures for investigating allegations of domestic violence involving officers.
–prohibit an officer from bringing a weapon into a courthouse if he or she is party to a domestic violence or harassment case.
–allow victims of domestic violence to break rental agreements without paying extra rent, and prohibiting landlords from evicting or refusing to rent to them.
-–authorize an extra $100 penalty on those convicted of domestic violence. The money will help finance prevention programs.
Link: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2001879974_weblocke16.html