Washington State

Office of the Attorney General

Attorney General

Bob Ferguson

Use of Force Policy Disclaimer

The Use of Force Policy and accompanying information below are provided as-is by the law enforcement agency

Agency's use-of-force policy is consistent with the AGO model policy:
No
Why agency's use-of force policy departs from the AGO model policy:
The Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Office (WWSO) has departed from the AGO model policy for the following reasons: First, many of the topics covered by the AGO model policy are outlined in other WWSO internal policies. WWSO has adopted use of force policies to govern top level concepts that apply to all uses of physical or deadly force by its deputies. Specific policies relating to select force tools or to select restraint devices are engaged with elsewhere in WWSO policies.

WWSO has also departed from the model policies by declining to adopt any language on the duty to intervene and report, instead citing to WWSO policy 343 which implements the CJTC model policy on duty to intervene.

Finally, in several sections the AGO model policy departs from the statutory language of RCW 10.120.020. This is particularly noticeable in the section of the model policy titled “Types of Force.” WWSO feels that the section of the AGO model policies titled “Types of Force” explores concepts better handled in training rather than the use of force policy. The lower level– intermediate– deadly force framework is inconsistent with the physical-deadly framework outlined by RCW 10.120.020. Consequently, WWSO has declined to adopt the AGO policy put forth in this section and instead kept its use of force policy in line with RCW 10.120.020.
How agency's use-of-force policy is consistent with RCW 10.120.020:
The policies adopted by the Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Office (WWSO) have definitions consistent with those applicable to RCW 10.120.020. Additionally, all elements of RCW 10.120.020 have been incorporated into the WWSO Use of Force Policy. RCW 10.120.020 (1) is incorporated as WWSO policy 300.3.6 PHYSICAL FORCE APPLICATIONS. RCW 10.120.020 (2) is incorporated as WWSO policy 300.6 DEADLY FORCE APPLICATIONS. RCW 10.120.020 (3) is incorporated as WWSO policy 300.4 REASONABLE CARE. RCW 10.120.020 (4) was added to WWSO policy 300.3 USE OF FORCE. RCW 10.120.020 (5) was added in pertinent part to WWSO policy 300.2 POLICY. Therefore, WWSO has policies consistent with RCW 10.120.020 as required by RCW 10.120.030.
Date policy last updated: