Legislative Changes

In 2021 the Washington State Legislature enacted several new laws directed at statewide police reform. To ensure compliance with the new legislation, the Everett Police Department undertook changes to certain policies and procedures. During the 2022 legislative term, the state amended many of the 2021 laws. Both the 2021 changes and the 2022 amendments are listed.

The Everett Police Department remains committed to public safety and to doing everything we can within the constraints of the law to make Everett a safe place to live, work and visit.


  1. Police Department

    Physical Address
    3002 Wetmore Avenue
    Everett, WA 98201

    Fax: 425-257-6500

  1. RCW 10.120 - Use of Force
  2. RCW 10.116 - Police Tactics
  3. RCW 10.93 - Duty to Intervene
  4. ESB 5476 - Drug Possession
  5. RCW 43.102 - OII
  6. E2SSB 5051- Decertification

EPD laws 2021 social HB1310 Opens in new windowRCW 10.120

In 2021 the Legislature passed E2SHB 1310 which later became RCW 10.120, altering when officers can use force. 

It authorized physical force only in situations where there is probable cause to make an arrest, effect an arrest, prevent a criminal from escaping and protect someone from imminent injury. 

In 2022 this was amended by SHB1735 and ESHB2037. These new laws modify the circumstances in which officers may use physical force to include six additional circumstances to those already authorized by law: 

    Take a person into custody, transport a person for evaluation or treatment, or provide other assistance under chapter 10.77 [Criminally Insane], 71.05 [Mental Illness] or 71.34 [Behavioral Health Services for Minors]

    Take a minor into protective custody when authorized or directed by statute

    Execute or enforce a court order authorizing or directing a peace officer to take a person into custody

    Execute a search warrant

    Execute or enforce an oral directive issued by a judicial officer in the courtroom or a written order where the court expressly authorizes a peace officer to use physical force to execute or enforce the directive or order

    To prevent persons from fleeing a lawful temporary investigative detention, provided that person has been given notice that he or she is being detained and is not free to leave


The 2021 laws initially changed Everett PD’s response to certain 911 calls such as mental health incidents, juvenile-related incidents, fire and medical calls, and welfare checks. It also affected their ability to detain noncompliant suspects. Officers were required to do additional investigation and sometimes had a delay in being able to detain suspects until state requirements were met. With the 2022 amendments, officers are once again able to assist medics and social workers to a greater extent and use force to detain suspects during an investigation when necessary.