Supports I-940 and Efforts to Improve Relationships Between the Police and Communities
SNOQUALMIE, WA— The Snoqualmie Tribal Council has presented a $25,000 donation to support the Initiative 940 – Deescalate Washington campaign.
Initiative 940 would require police training for violence de-escalation, mental health, and first aid and stipulates that police render first aid at the scene. It also applies a good faith standard for use of deadly force and removes the de facto immunity, and would require completely independent investigations of use of deadly force when there is injury or death.
I-940 brings diverse community stakeholders to the table for the development of standards and curriculum, and calls specifically for Tribal governments to be included in investigations where a tribal person was injured or killed.
“We believe these are good, common sense ideas to help improve the relationship between citizens and the police officers that we rely on for protection,” said Jolene Williams, Snoqualmie Tribal Chairwoman. “We are also pleased that I-940 recognizes the sovereign duty that Tribal governments have to ensure that Tribal members are treated justly.”
“I am proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Snoqualmie Tribe and am grateful for the Tribe’s support of this important initiative, which seeks to decrease violence in our communities and increase confidence in those charged with protecting public safety,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “We all have a stake in making sure police have the training and tools to best serve all the people, and that government is held to a high standard of accountability when it entrusts an officer with the solemn authority to act on behalf of the public.”
The De-Escalate Washington campaign presented over 350,000 signatures from Washington State residents in support of the proposal – far more than the 260,000 required for the Washington State Legislature to consider the initiative. The initiative was certified on January 23, 2018 and has now been referred to the State legislature for consideration. The House and Senate can pass the initiative, propose an alternative policy, or take no action, which would result in I-940 moving on to the November ballot.
The Snoqualmie Indian Tribe is a federally recognized tribe in the Puget Sound region of Washington State. Known as the People of the Moon, Snoqualmie were signatories to the Treaty of Point Elliott in 1855. Snoqualmie Tribal enterprises provide over 1,700 jobs, and the Tribe has donated over $1.5 million to nonprofit organizations in the Snoqualmie Valley since 2010.