Model Policy

The law requires the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) to develop a model policy on law enforcement use of force and de-escalation tactics consistent with new standards adopted into law. Consistent with the legislative directive, the model use-of-force policy applies to all peace officers in Washington, but does not apply to corrections officers working in jails, correctional, or detention facilities.

Model Use of Force Policy:

Letter in Support from 46 Organizations

Model Use of Force Policy in Other Languages:

• Política de uso de fuerza modelo (Spanish)
• 示范使用 武力政策 (Chinese - Simplified)
• 示範使用 武力政策 (Chinese - Traditional)
• Modellrichtlinie über die Anwendung von Gewalt (German)
• बल के उपयोग की मॉडल नीति (Hindi)
• 모범적 물리력 사용 정책 (Korean)
• Modelong Patakaran sa Paggamit ng Puwersa (Tagalog)
• Chính Sách Mẫu về Sử Dụng Vũ Lực (Vietnamese) 
• Типовая политика применения силы (Russian)
• Типова політика щодо застосування сили (Ukranian)
• 群衆管理インシデント における実力の行使 ベストプラクティス (Japanese)
• መተግ አስተዳደር ክስተቶች ውስጥ የአካላዊ ኃይል እርምጃ አጠቃቀም ምርጥ ተሞክሮዎች (Amharic)
• Isticmaalka Xoogga Jireed ee Maaraynta Dhacdooyinka Dadku kusoo xoomeen Farsamooyinka Ugu Fiican (Somali)
• النموذجي للقوة سياسة الاستخدام (Arabic)
• Fa'ata'ita'iga o Faiga Fa'avae o le Fa'aaogaina o le Malosiaga (Samoan)
• ਫੋਰਸ ਪਾਲਿਸੀ ਦੀ ਮਾਡਲ ਵਰਤੋੋਂ (Punjabi)
• Kakien eo ikijen Kōjerbale Kiel (Marshallese)
• គោ�លការណ៍៍ ស្ដ�ពី� គំ�រូគោ�����ស្ដី់កម្លាំំ �ង (Khmer)
• Alapalapen ika Aian allukun Ange Pechekul ika Fofor Afeiengaw (Chuukese)

Process of Developing the Model Policy

The AGO developed the statewide Model Use-of-Force Policy following extensive engagement with community stakeholders and law enforcement officers. The AGO reviewed use-of-force policies that have been implemented locally and nationally. Members of the public were invited to provide feedback on a draft of the policy by submitting comments through an online portal or by phone.

Status

Washington law requires all law enforcement agencies to either:

1. Adopt a use-of-force policy that is consistent with the AGO model policy, and submit that policy to the AGO; or
2. Submit the agency’s inconsistent use-of-force policy to the AGO along with:
   1. The reasons for departing from the AGO model policy, and
   2. An explanation for how the agency’s policy is consistent with RCW 10.120.020.

This webpage includes all law enforcement use-of-force policies received by the Attorney General’s Office, including the agency’s self-report as to whether its policy is consistent with the AGO model policy, and, as applicable, the agency’s explanation for not adopting a consistent use-of-force policy.

Agencies that have not yet provided information, or those that need to update their submission, can do so using the form linked here.

Use-of-Force Policies

The assessment of whether an agency’s policy is consistent with the model policy is made by the law enforcement agency itself. The date indicates when the agency reported last updating its policy.