OLYMPIA — The Washington Fraternal Order of Police (WAFOP) announced today its support for the placement of Benton County Sheriff Jerry Hatcher on the county’s Brady list. This decision comes on the heels of the Washington State Supreme Court opinion allowing the recall petition to remove him from office. The Brady list includes the names of law enforcement officers whose credibility could be impeached at trial based on information about their truthfulness, honesty, or bias in a case.

Earlier this month in a unanimous opinion, the Court authorized the petition to recall Hatcher to move forward with signature gathering. The opinion noted that all eight charges in the recall petition are legally and factually sufficient and may proceed to be put before the voters.

“The Washington Fraternal Order of Police supports the decision of the Washington State Supreme Court and believes the placement of Sheriff Hatcher on the Brady list is the correct course of action,” said WAFOP president Marco Monteblanco. “Credibility and truthfulness are at the core of what we do and our ability to serve the public. Our members agree with this listing and the Court’s decision allowing the petition to proceed.”

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