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Council adopts ordinance creating police warrant‑officer position
Summary
Council unanimously enacted an ordinance to add a warrant‑officer classification to the Federal Way Police Department; city chief said the role codifies existing transport and support duties and complies with state training rules.
The Federal Way City Council unanimously adopted an ordinance on July 1 creating a warrant‑officer position within the police department to formalize limited-duty, non‑sworn transport and support roles.
At second reading, Councilmember Walsh moved approval; the motion passed unanimously. Chief of Police explained the change responds to state training requirements and allows the city to continue using limited‑commission personnel for prisoner transport and related support tasks without reclassifying them as full sworn officers. “Simply put, it's the, training requirements,” the chief said, describing the distinction between warrant officers and fully sworn police officers.
Councilmember Gannon asked whether the new classification could be used in future to reassign some non‑patrol duties so sworn officers focus on investigations and patrol. The chief said warrant officers’ scope is limited under state law — primarily transport and some parking enforcement — and any broader shift in duties would involve bargaining with employee associations.
The ordinance amends the Federal Way Revised Code to add the warrant‑officer section and takes effect following enactment.
