(reverent news music) - I'm Starla Sampaco in the Crosscut KCTS 9 newsroom.

Past misconduct is now fair game for a new police accountability law.

The decision was made by Washington's Criminal Justice Training Commission, resolving a dispute about how far back officers can be held accountable under Senate Bill 5051.

The law, which took effect in July, expands the commission's authority to investigate and decertify police officers.

Decertification essentially revokes an officer's policing license and prevents them from working as a cop anywhere in the state.

The issue gained new attention last fall when Pierce County Sheriff Ed Troyer was criminally charged with making a false statement after he called 911 on a black newspaper carrier.

The incident happened six months before the new law took effect.

In March, the commission voted to apply the new law to past conduct and specifically to conduct the officer should have known violated policy and would impact their suitability to serve.

I'm Starla Sampaco.

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