{"data":{"id":"us-wa/rcw-35.23.161","jurisdiction":"us-wa","citation":"RCW 35.23.161","heading":"Chief of police and police department—Eligibility requirements.","body":"The department of police in a city of the second class shall be under the direction and control of the chief of police subject to the direction of the mayor. The city and police chief must comply with the requirements set forth in RCW 35.21.333 and 35.21.334. Any police officer may pursue and arrest violators of city ordinances beyond the city limits.\nThe city and department must comply with the requirements set forth in RCW 35.21.722 regarding use of volunteers, specially commissioned officers, and youth cadets as defined in RCW 35.21.722.\nThe police chief shall have the same authority as that conferred upon sheriffs pursuant to RCW 36.28.010(7).","path":["Title 35","Chapter 35.23"],"source_url":"https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=35.23.161","current_through":"July 15, 2026","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-06T00:40:58Z","sha256":"4910f3e9d20a882c79adac74e8d63f582f7be73d24e779ccb450e0e6036779f4","source_id":"us-wa","stale":false,"prev":"us-wa/rcw-35.23.148","next":"us-wa/rcw-35.23.170"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}