Doug Baldwin urges change in deadly force law

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin is urging a change to a Washington state law on the ability to prosecute officers who use deadly force.


Baldwin testified Monday before a state task force that is studying the statute that says police can't be charged with a crime for using deadly force unless it can be proved they acted with "malice" and without "good faith," the News Tribune of Tacoma reported.

Baldwin, the son of a police officer, said that the malice standard should be removed. No other state uses the requirement.

“To be able to  grow up and know that my father was an honorable man in that regard means a lot to me and gives me the understanding of both sides that it is a very difficult job to be a police officer," Baldwin said.

Most on the task force agree "malice" should be removed from state law, and a "good faith" standard" is under debate as well. Some police groups object to any change.

“I’m not done, so whatever my part is in terms of being just a concerned citizen and trying to impact change as that as a concerned citizen, I will continue to do that," Baldwin said.

Baldwin, the son of a police officer, said that the malice standard should be removed. No other state uses the requirement.

The task force later recommended that both terms "malice" and "good faith" should be removed from the state law. The Legislature will ultimately decide whether or not to move forward with the recommendations when the legislative session begins in January.