Unmarked Vehicles Without Restrictions?

A bill working its way through the Washington State legislature would clarify the use of unmarked police vehicles.

House Bill 1951 was introduced by Rep. Liz Pike (R) of Camas, WA, and is designed to remove the ambiguity of the current law. Agencies believe it's confusing. It stems from an October 2014 incident in which a citizen was pulled over by an unmarked Grant County Sheriff's vehicle.

Supporters say this bill gives some discretion to local law enforcement chiefs. The intent of the bill was not to allow law enforcement to use unmarked vehicles for traffic enforcement. Most police chiefs use unmarked police cars for official business, but the bill gives them the discretion to use them as they deem necessary.

Opponents say the bill would require citizens to stop for every patrol vehicle with flashing lights. They also say it will give departments no reason to clearly mark any station vehicles and that in turn will embolden impersonators, putting the public's safety at risk. Those against want an amendment to the Bill that would only allow unmarked cars used for administrative purposes.