Bill > HB2165

This bill creates a new crime called "false identification as a peace officer," which is a gross misdemeanor, meaning it's a serious but less severe offense than a felony. It applies when someone, without intending to commit a more serious crime like first-degree criminal impersonation, pretends to be a peace officer or creates the impression they are one by doing things like using a vehicle, wearing specific clothing, or possessing items with a law enforcement insignia, and a reasonable person would believe they are a peace officer. The bill also clarifies that this new law does not prohibit retired peace officers or those who inherit law enforcement items from deceased officers from possessing items with law enforcement insignia, nor does it prevent the use of such insignia for cultural, historical, educational, or artistic purposes, including satire and parody. Additionally, the bill amends an existing law concerning criminal impersonation in the second degree, removing language that previously covered impersonating a law enforcement officer in that context, as this is now addressed by the new "false identification as a peace officer" crime. For the purposes of these laws, "peace officer" is broadly defined to include various types of Washington state and federal law enforcement officers, and "item bearing an insignia" includes items with specific police-related words or federal agency titles.