Vandal
Regular Member
How would he have a complaint against WSP? They are the only ones who seem to remember consistently that OC is legal in WA. They don't run the at large academy, just their own.
Just out of curiosity, Vandal, how much time have you spent in Western Washington, specifically, the south or west of Puget Sound?WA cops seem to be trained that guns are bad, whereas in ID they are just part of life.
For those that've been through BLEA ... there might be some that disagree with this particular bit of ridiculousness:based upon my experiences traveling throughout WA and having frown up in Idaho.
WA cops seem to be trained that guns are bad,
WA cops seem to be trained that guns are bad, whereas in ID they are just part of life.
For those that've been through BLEA ... there might be some that disagree with this particular bit of ridiculousness:
For those that've been through BLEA ... there might be some that disagree with this particular bit of ridiculousness:
Again, get off your internet butt and go sign up for a ride-along. Agencies like citizens to see how operations and a shift can go.
In Washington state, all peace officer certifications are controlled by the Criminal Justice Training Commission. There are a total of three LE academies in Washington state: the WSP has their own in Shelton, focusing predominately on the aspects of a trooper's patrol life. Then you have two Basic Law Enforcement Academies (BLEA). One is held in frequently in Spokane at the Spokane PD training facility by Geiger Field. The largest academy is in Burien, which also hosts the Corrections Officer Academy. These focus on the general peace officer duties most often seen by a municipal officer or deputy.
In the firearms training portion, the issue of lawful carry of a firearm by a citizen (concealed or open) is discussed and trained. That is embedded in the training and has been so for many years. To make an assumption that it is not trained would be completely incorrect.
Laws change, often frequently within a single calendar year so what one recruit officer may receive may be outdated or case law improper or illegal within six months. Then you factor in that rulings by the 9th Circus versus other Circuit Courts are contrary. What is permitted say, in the 10th, is illegal in the 9th. The law evolves faster than my sister-in-law's hair coloring.
By the WAC, the BLEA is in excess of 740 hours of training with a heavy tilt towards the WAC, RCWs and the Constitutional aspects thereof (laws). Physical training aspects (firearms, DT, EVOC) are of a lesser hour count than classroom time on laws. Post BLEA, it is up to the different jurisdictions as to training on their own codes and laws (hence, the King County SO and the Seattle PD each have an additional month of training to address King County codes or Seattle Muni codes).
Yes, the issue of openly carrying a firearm is that delicate balance within LE, contrary to what some here will tell you. Do you stop and contact a subject that is open carrying a firearm while walking into a bank that has been previously robbed? Do you wait and then get reamed by the citizens and management when that fail to contact ties in with a legitimate robbery? Or how about that fellow or lady walking into the Walmart with the AR slung across the back? Certainly legal but is there the possibility of a nut about to go off half cocked and kill some co-workers? How long ago was it that we would view someone talking to themselves as crazy or potentially insane? And yet, with the advent of hands free communication, we have plenty of folks apparently talking to themselves. Evolution. The laws, as they presently exist, do not make clear distinctions of when and when not to contact, especially when doing something the local society is not comfortable or supportive of, regardless of the constitutionality of the act. Peace officers are given the power of discretion because laws rarely include "shall" or "must." The harsh fact many cannot seem to grasp is that your local society, particularly in the greater Everett-Seattle-Tacoma triplex, is opposed to guns and view guns as evil (regardless of who is carrying it). They equate guns with violence. They will tilt away from officers carrying firearms simply because their fear (whether ingrained or taught) of guns make them that way. From that pool, you draw officers and deputies, men and women who grew up thinking of guns as evil rather than a tool. Presumably, citizens and their thinking or knee jerk reacting will evolve should OC remain a legal act in this state.
More than ever, peace officers are finding those who have no issues with pointing guns at them or endangering the public. Since citizens often cower when faced with the threat, especially with firearms, they hire men and women to do that direct intervention. Since we get killed doing that, or less (like enjoying coffee in a shop), peace officers take gun threats seriously, as presumably you would.
Again, get off your internet butt and go sign up for a ride-along. Agencies like citizens to see how operations and a shift can go. Get involved with a citizen's academy. Plug into the Civil Service Commissions of your local jurisdictions. Learns, open the eyes, make smarter thoughts and comments AFTER you get to see things from something other than the idiot box.