New state agency to investigate police use of deadly force delayed

OLYMPIA — A new state agency was mandated to start investigating police use of deadly force cases on July 1, but it appears it actually won’t be ready for months.

“It’s just a lot to get done. Standing up an office from nothing is incredibly difficult,” said Roger Rogoff, appointed by Gov. Jay Inslee to head up the new agency, the Office of Independent Investigations, KING5 reported.

Under current law, when a police officer uses deadly force, detectives from surrounding agencies investigate and refer the case to county prosecutors for charging decisions.

Under a law passed last year, the new agency has the authority to conduct investigations of deadly force use by police officers. Those investigations will presented to county prosecutors.

Rogoff said it’s not clear how his agency will handle future investigations. There are dozens of positions to fill, policies and procedures to write. The agency does not have a permanent workspace.

Rogoff said the work is too important to rush. “I think we’d be falling out of the gate if we started conducting investigations when we weren’t ready.”

Rogoff, a former King County prosecutor and Superior Court judge, said the judicial system is due for the kind of changes that could result from his new agency.

More in News

Voters approving all Peninsula school measures

Sequim bond passing with required supermajority

KEITH THORPE/PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
Clallam County election workers Neva Miller, right, and Debbie Kracht, both of Sequim, open election ballots on Tuesday at the courthouse in Port Angeles.
Ballot sorting in Port Angeles

Clallam County election workers Neva Miller, right, and Debbie Kracht, both of… Continue reading

Jefferson County board to select interim sheriff

Chosen candidate will serve until next election

State funding challenges dominate legislative conversations

Multiple bills may have local relevance

PA’s Platypus Marine looks to expansion

Growth benefits local economy

Port of Port Angeles updates delegation of authority

Debt collections, Amazon site among other business

Matthew Nash / Olympic Peninsula News Group
Rick Godfrey stands with his Boy Scouts of America achievements on his office’s wall, including his merit badges and Troop 490 photos. In 1950, he was the youngest scout in the state to earn his Eagle Scout, the highest rank in scouting. The troop celebrated 100 years at a special dinner on Saturday at the Sequim Masonic Lodge.
Sequim troop celebrates centennial with dinner

Scout organization began in 1925 in a Sunday school class

Jefferson County board takes on transportation benefit district

Tax, license fee expected to bring in $1 million

Clallam County commissioners discuss reservoir design

Consensus reached on two-cell option

Firefighters respond to a house fire at West Sixth Street and Cherry Street on Friday in Port Angeles. (Port Angeles Fire Department)
Home destroyed in Port Angeles house fire

Residents escaped a house fire at West Sixth Street… Continue reading

Five workshops to repair broken items set this spring

JeffCo Repair will sponsor five workshops where fixers will… Continue reading

Kathy Cruz/Olympic Peninsula News Group
Mary Montgomery-Crumley dishes up helpings of salad at “Soup’s On.” Lunch also included a biscuit, two versions of minestrone soup, one vegetarian, one with chicken, and chocolate chip butterscotch bars.
‘Soup’s On’ free lunch at St. Luke’s draws varied crowd of helpers, diners

Melissa, a member of Sequim’s Friends Together, a group that… Continue reading