Police and Law Enforcement Provision

Overview

Code cities are required to appoint a chief law enforcement officer (RCW 35A.12.020). Towns are required to appoint a town marshal (RCW 35.27.070) and the town police department must be under the direction and control of the town marshal. Second class cities are required to appoint a police chief (RCW 35.23.021) and the city police department must be under the control and direction of the chief of police (subject to the direction of the mayor or city manager).

Neither the state constitution nor state law mandates a specific number of law enforcement officers or level of law enforcement services. This is primarily a policy decision for the city or town council or commission to determine.

If a city or town has more than two full-time law enforcement officers, including the chief of police, it is required by state law to establish a police civil service system, unless it has provided for civil service in the police department by a system which substantially accomplishes the purposes of the state provisions contained in Ch. 41.12 RCW. Those cities that have six or more full-time officers may exclude the police chief from civil service coverage and an additional number of positions depending on the total number of department personnel (RCW 41.12.050).