SB 6130 & HB 2394 Would Grant More LE Authority to Liquor Officers MAJOR CHANGE

[Elkaholic daWg]

I would be more comfortable giving the County sheriffs department the LCB and DNR law enforcement contracts and the problem is solved.

I can only see that being increased costs to the state. King County alone has about 20 LCB Officers making about 50k a year in terms of salary. If the LCB told King County SO they want to contract and have 20 King County Deputies do LCB work (basically same staffing level), LCB would have to pay a lot more considering a King County Deputy at top step makes about 80k per year. Go to each county and you will see that many (not all) pay deputies more then they pay LCB Officers. Then you bring in training, how long does it take to teach a deputy about the different types of liquor and server licenses? If a deputy only lasts a year or two working liquor enforcement how often will the LCB have to provide training? There is a reason why when a deputy or city officer gets some type of liquor violation outside of the regular stuff (selling to minors, etc) they call LCB. And now you need to remember is that LCB is responsible for marijuana growing and sales enforcement.

There is a reason why the majority of states have a state liquor enforcement agency, it's because it works. If it worked better with counties then you would see that. It's just like when people say fish and wildlife enforcement should be under WSP, only two states operate that way. Why should WA follow the lead of 2 states then 48 others aren't doing it?

   
That post seems to make just as good of a case to keep them liquor enforcement specific. Does it not?

[KFhunter]

meh

I think they'd be like the WSP DOT enforcement, they're the guys doing commercial truck enforcement.

You don't see them pulling over speeders too often as their focus is on commercial trucks, but if they see something egregious they'll can/will pull you over.
but normally you'll just cruise on by while they look for the next semi truck to pull over.

[bigtex]

I would be more comfortable giving the County sheriffs department the LCB and DNR law enforcement contracts and the problem is solved.

I can only see that being increased costs to the state. King County alone has about 20 LCB Officers making about 50k a year in terms of salary. If the LCB told King County SO they want to contract and have 20 King County Deputies do LCB work (basically same staffing level), LCB would have to pay a lot more considering a King County Deputy at top step makes about 80k per year. Go to each county and you will see that many (not all) pay deputies more then they pay LCB Officers. Then you bring in training, how long does it take to teach a deputy about the different types of liquor and server licenses? If a deputy only lasts a year or two working liquor enforcement how often will the LCB have to provide training? There is a reason why when a deputy or city officer gets some type of liquor violation outside of the regular stuff (selling to minors, etc) they call LCB. And now you need to remember is that LCB is responsible for marijuana growing and sales enforcement.

There is a reason why the majority of states have a state liquor enforcement agency, it's because it works. If it worked better with counties then you would see that. It's just like when people say fish and wildlife enforcement should be under WSP, only two states operate that way. Why should WA follow the lead of 2 states then 48 others aren't doing it?

   
That post seems to make just as good of a case to keep them liquor enforcement specific. Does it not?

I don't see how it does? The large majority of the officers are previous general authority officers so they wont need extra training, they already know the "system." And if anything you are getting a lot of new general authority officers cheaper then you would deputies in most areas. If this bill would pass LCB would be the lowest paid state general authority agency (LCB, WDFW, WSP).

[Bofire]

 :)OK so the academy/commission cost is covered. Would there be other costs? before I retired we always said it costs 100k to put a cop on the street. training, guns, uniforms, car, radios computers, office space, etc.
I knew a LCB guy, great guy and a friend, he was a retired state custody cop, prison guard.
Carl

[bigtex]

I think there is a big fear that if LCB gets full authority all of a sudden they will be pulling people over for no license plate lights, I don't see that happening. LCB has a lot of "red tape" in terms of what they allow their officers to do and not do. As an example, they've had the authority to enforce drug laws since December 2012 but the admin has told their officers to hold off on this authority until the marijuana sales begin. So I don't see them getting full authority and suddenly telling their officers if they see any violation they should handle it. I think it'll be something along the lines of if they observe a dangerous situation (such as an assault or DUI) they can intervene.

[bigtex]

:)OK so the academy/commission cost is covered. Would there be other costs? before I retired we always said it costs 100k to put a cop on the street. training, guns, uniforms, car, radios computers, office space, etc.
I knew a LCB guy, great guy and a friend, he was a retired state custody cop, prison guard.
Carl

Well all of those costs are already covered. LCB Officers have all the gear that other LEOs have. All LCB Officers have computers in their cars, there are still some PDs and SOs that don't have computers. They are already dispatched by WSP, and so on. Also, the liquor and marijuana initiatives provides a lot of funding to the LCB for LE and that is where any extra costs will be covered out off.

[Elkaholic daWg]

The way this country is going, they may all soon need a law degree.

[bigtex]

For those that said they would be contacting their reps in opposition to this bill. What, if any response did you receive?

[Knocker of rocks]

For those that said they would be contacting their reps in opposition to this bill. What, if any response did you receive?

The cops kicked my front door down, tazed me and sprayed me with mace.

Just like they do every week

[bigtex]

For those that said they would be contacting their reps in opposition to this bill. What, if any response did you receive?

The cops kicked my front door down, tazed me and sprayed me with mace.

Just like they do every week

Man you lead a tough life 

[Knocker of rocks]

It an acquired taste.

[JLS]

For those that said they would be contacting their reps in opposition to this bill. What, if any response did you receive?

The cops kicked my front door down, tazed me and sprayed me with mace.

Just like they do every week

Did they tell you why they did it?

[Knocker of rocks]

For those that said they would be contacting their reps in opposition to this bill. What, if any response did you receive?

The cops kicked my front door down, tazed me and sprayed me with mace.

Just like they do every week

Did they tell you why they did it?

'cause I like it?

[csaaphill]

hell to the NO!!!

[bigtex]

The House version of this bill has it's Public Safety Committee hearing tomorrow. A similar bill to this last year passed out of the same committee with bipartisan support.