Full-time “law enforcement officers” and “fire fighters” first hired on or after October 1, 1977, are covered by LEOFF Plan 2 and are required to become members of the plan.
A “law enforcement officer” is someone who is fully commissioned and empowered to enforce the laws of the state of Washington, including full arrest powers, and employed by a LEOFF employer. LEOFF-covered positions include county sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, police chiefs, city police officers, town marshals or deputy marshals. Effective January 1, 1994, general authority law enforcement officers employed by a state university or port district are also included. Directors of public safety and public safety officers may qualify if they are employed by cities or towns with populations less than 10,000.
City police are considered law enforcement officers only if they have been appointed to offices, positions, or ranks specifically created and designated by city charter provision or by ordinance.
The following positions are excluded:
A “fire fighter” is someone employed in a uniformed fire fighter position on a full‑time, fully compensated basis, and as a consequence, has the legal authority and responsibility to direct or perform fire protection activities that are required for and directly concerned with preventing, controlling and extinguishing fires. This includes supervisory fire fighter personnel.
“Fire protection activities” may include incidental functions such as housekeeping, equipment maintenance, grounds maintenance, fire safety inspections, lecturing, performing community fire drills and inspecting homes and schools for fire hazards. These activities qualify as fire protection activities only if the primary duty of the position is preventing, controlling and extinguishing fires.
The following positions are excluded:
A “covered employer” is any of the following if they employ any law enforcement officer and/or fire fighter: