Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Sheriff is optimistic about the newly amended bill
COLFAX — The Senate’s slim passage of legislation will now allow law-enforcement officers to engage in vehicular pursuits under newly amended circumstances.
Senate Bill (SB) 5352 passed with a 26-23 vote on the final day of the session on March 8.
The Whitman County Sheriff’s office hopes this new law will promote safer roadways and someday be restored to its original state in 2021.
“It’s promising and a step back in the right direction. Not a far enough step, but it’s a step,” said Whitman County Sheriff Brett Myers.
In 2022, Republicans in the senate attempted to restore the law, but the session majority voted against SB 5352.
“It’s better as it gives us a little bit more of a standard for probable cause,” noted Myers, “Now we can pursue any suspicious reason with cause.”
Before SB 5352s passed, deputies could only pursue and stop a criminal with known causes such as rape, murder, or assault.
“This will give us more tools, and we hope we can pursue criminals by next year. We must be careful with how much lawlessness we must accept,” said Myers.
Olivia Harnack is a Journalist at the Whitman County Gazette. Olivia is enrolled at University of Idaho and is majoring in digital film studies. She serves in the United States Army National Guard and is proud to serve Whitman County.
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