Washington legal term
Peace officer in Washington Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Washington legislative session
In Washington criminal law, “Peace officer” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the Washington criminal code.
What does “Peace officer” mean in Washington criminal law?
"Peace officer" means a duly appointed city, county, or state law enforcement officer; (16) "Pecuniary benefit" means any gain or advantage in the form of money, property, commercial interest, or anything else the primary significance of which is economic gain; (17) "Person," "he or she," and "actor" include any natural person and, where relevant, a corporation, joint stock association, or an unincorporated association; (18) "Place of work" includes but is not limited to all the lands and other real property of a farm or ranch in the case of an actor who owns, operates, or is employed to work (RCW 9A.04.110)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
- Assault in the third degree
- Failure to disperse
- False identification as a peace officer
- False reporting
- Financial institution records
- Individual who is not a citizen or national of the United States possession of firearms
- Obstructing a law enforcement officer
- Refusing to summon aid for a peace officer
- Resisting arrest
- Search without warrant unlawful
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.