Chapter 9.02
INTERFERENCE WITH PEACE OFFICERS AND PUBLIC SERVANTS

Sections:

9.02.010    Obstructing a law enforcement officer.

9.02.020    Refusing to summon aid for a peace officer.

9.02.030    Resisting arrest.

9.02.040    False reporting.

9.02.050    Rendering criminal assistance in the first, second and third degree.

9.02.010 Obstructing a law enforcement officer.

A.    A person is guilty of obstructing a law enforcement officer if he or she wilfully hinders, delays or obstructs any law enforcement officer in the discharge of his or her official powers or duties.

B.    “Law enforcement officer” means any general authority, limited authority or specially commissioned peace officer as those terms are defined in RCW 10.93.020 and other public officers who are responsibility for enforcement of fire, building, zoning, and life and safety codes.

C.    Obstructing a law enforcement officer is a gross misdemeanor. (Ord. 97-844 § 19, 1997: Ord. 453 § 3, 1982)

9.02.020 Refusing to summon aid for a peace officer.

It is unlawful for a person to unreasonably refuse or fail to summon aid for a peace officer if requested to do so by a person he knows to be a peace officer. Refusing to summon aid for a peace officer is a Class A misdemeanor. (Ord. 453 § 4, 1982)

9.02.030 Resisting arrest.

A.    A person is guilty of resisting arrest if he or she intentionally prevents, attempts to prevent, or resists the efforts of a peace officer from lawfully arresting him or her.

B.    Resisting arrest is a misdemeanor. (Ord. 97-844 § 21, 1997: Ord. 453 § 5, 1982)

9.02.040 False reporting.

A.    A person is guilty of false reporting if with knowledge that the information reported, conveyed or circulated is false, he or she initiates or circulates a false report or warning of an alleged occurrence or impending occurrence of a fire, explosion, crime, catastrophe or emergency knowing that such false report is likely to cause evacuation of a building, place of assembly, or transportation facility, or to cause public inconvenience or alarm.

B.    False reporting is a gross misdemeanor. (Ord. 97-844 § 20, 1997)

9.02.050 Rendering criminal assistance in the first, second and third degree.

A.    A person is guilty of rendering criminal assistance in the first degree if it is established by a preponderance of the evidence that the actor is a relative as defined in RCW 9A.76.060 and he or she renders criminal assistance to a person who has committed or is being sought for murder in the first degree or any Class A felony or equivalent juvenile offense. Rendering criminal assistance in the first degree is a gross misdemeanor.

B.    A person is guilty of rendering criminal assistance in the second degree if he or she renders criminal assistance to a person who has committed or is being sought for a Class B or Class C felony who has committed or is being sought for a Class B or Class C felony or an equivalent juvenile offense or to someone being sought for violation of parole, probation or community supervision. Rendering criminal assistance in the second degree is a misdemeanor if it is established by a preponderance of the evidence that the actor is a relative as defined in RCW 9A.76.060 and is a gross misdemeanor in all other cases.

C.    A person is guilty of rendering criminal assistance in the third degree if he or she renders criminal assistance to a person who has committed a gross misdemeanor or a misdemeanor. Rendering criminal assistance in the third degree is a misdemeanor.

D.    A person renders criminal assistance if, with intent to prevent, hinder or delay the apprehension or prosecution of another person who he knows has committed a crime or juvenile offense or is being sought by law enforcement officials for the commission of a crime or juvenile offense or has escaped from a detention facility, he:

1.    Harbors or conceals such person; or

2.    Warns such person of impending discovery or apprehension; or

3.    Provides such person with money, transportation, disguise, or other means of avoiding discovery or apprehension;

4.    Prevents or obstructs, by use of force, deception or threat, anyone from performing an act that might aid in the discovery or apprehension of such person; or

5.    Conceals, alters, or destroys any physical evidence that might aid in the discovery or apprehension of such person; or

6.    Provides such person with a weapon. (Ord. 97-844 § 22, 1997)