New WA agency investigating police deadly force incidents sees budget cuts

The newly formed Office of Independent Investigations in Washington, responsible for overseeing police use of deadly force, is facing budget cuts that threaten its effectiveness. Since its launch in December, the agency has investigated four cases, including two incidents on May 7 involving police shootings. The agency requested a 40% increase in funding, seeking over $53 million for the next budget cycle to improve staffing levels. Instead, lawmakers cut its budget by more than 20%, reducing it to under $30 million due to a significant state budget shortfall. Community advocates, including Nickeia Hunter, emphasize that these cuts send a detrimental message about accountability, particularly for marginalized communities affected by police violence.

Director Roger Rogoff highlighted the necessity of sufficient resources to expand the office's operations, especially east of the Cascades. The agency's first report, issued last month, addressed a police shooting shortly after its establishment. As the office aims to grow into more regions, the funding constraints could severely limit its ability to develop a robust oversight mechanism.