WATCH: Bill to increase penalty for impersonating a police officer clears WA House

(The Center Square) – There was passionate debate on the floor of the House of Representatives Wednesday over a bill that would make impersonating a law enforcement officer a gross misdemeanor.

Republicans opposed House Bill 2165, raising questions over whether the definition of federal peace officer in the legislation would include federal immigration enforcement. Debate continues in the legislature over whether federal officers can be masked or should be unmasked.

Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank and other critics have said the bill is unnecessary because it’s already illegal to impersonate an officer.

Supporters, including Gov. Bob Ferguson Ferguson, contend the bill is crucial for protecting immigrant communities from dangerous imposters who have, in some instances, posed as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to commit crimes