Washington State Liquor Control Board

The enforcement division of the Washington State Liquor Control Board is responsible for the enforcement of liquor and tobacco related laws within the State of Washington. Liquor Enforcement Officers are specially commissioned law enforcement officers responsible for enforcing alcohol and tobacco laws by visiting establishments licensed by the Liquor Control Board, conducting undercover operations, performing joint patrols with local law enforcement, providing licensing support, conducting financial audits, and responding to citizen complaints. The special commission held by officers of the Liquor Control Board is a limited commission that only provides full law enforcement authority within the State of Washington while the officer is on-duty. This means that while officers of the liquor control board on in the performance of their duties they may carry weapons, make arrests, conduct searches, and request documents from personnel relating to an investigation/inspection.

One way that the officers of the Liquor Control Board enforce the tobacco laws of Washington is through the operation of the Tobacco Tax Unit. This unit was created in 1997 and is responsible for the inspection of tobacco related product retailers, wholesalers, and distributors. It is the job of Liquor Enforcement Officers assigned to the Tobacco Tax Unit to investigate and halt any illegal shipments of contraband tobacco products. A contraband tobacco product is a tobacco product, like cigarettes, that is sold to consumers before any necessary tobacco taxes have been paid.

Another division within the Liquor Control Board is the Non-Retail Enforcement section. This division is eight officers strong and is responsible for the enforcement of liquor laws that impact non-retail license holders. A non-retail license holder is any entity whose only business within Washington is the production, importation, and distribution of alcohol. The most widely known form of a non-retail establishment that would fall under the responsibility of the Non-Retail Enforcement section is wineries. Washington has over 500 licensed wineries that the Liquor Control Board must regulate.

Members of the Liquor Control Board also maintain partnerships with other state and federal law enforcement agencies to include tribal law enforcement agencies. When officers are not enforcing or investigating state tobacco and alcohol laws they are educating the public on the law and enforcement programs.

Sources:

Enforcement and Education. The Washington State Liquor Control Board.