By Monica Alexander and John Lovick / For The Herald
On July 29, the first class of peace officers will graduate from the new Washington State Criminal Justice Training Academy in Arlington.
We have attended many law enforcement graduations, and each is a uniquely inspiring experience. We are proud to watch these young women and men from across our state step forward, dedicating their lives to keeping Washingtonians safe. Arlington’s regional campus, and its graduating officers, are the future of public safety in Northwest Washington.
Arlington is the third and final of the regional training academy campuses funded in 2023, alongside our Southwest academy in Vancouver and our Northeast academy in Pasco. As of this year, our Spokane campus is officially recognized as a regional academy, and they have made huge contribution toward reducing wait times. With Arlington’s graduation, our four regional academies have graduated 456 new officers now serving in Washington communities. We are training more law enforcement professionals yearly than at any other time in our state’s history.
Thanks to these academies, we have dramatically reduced wait times for recruits joining our Basic Law Enforcement Academy. Less wait time means the training commission is more responsive than ever to community needs. Departments can recruit, hire and onboard officers with minimal delay. They can be confident that our training programs will emphasize integrity, dignity and accountability, equipping officers with the skills they need to foster trust and collaboration.
While the Arlington academy has been a great recruitment tool, we must also acknowledge, and address, concerns brought to us by Snohomish County. We have seen some Northwestern recruits experience longer wait times than normal because they are attending the Arlington academy. However, we cannot overstate the importance — both to recruits and the community — of learning this profession close to home near the neighborhoods these men and women will one day help protect. The ability to train locally has increased interest and enthusiasm among young people considering the profession, bringing promising new recruits into law enforcement.
With more than 60 years of combined experience in law enforcement, we understand that the heart of our profession is dedication to our communities. Becoming a peace officer is a lifelong commitment to the cities, towns, and neighbors you care about. Our regional campuses embody that fact. Each class reflects the tremendous diversity of our state, and each academy fosters a deep connection between officers and the communities they will protect. That connection is the heart of effective, compassionate policing.
Tuesday’s graduation is only the first step. Our Arlington academy is a testament to this state’s dedication to public safety. It is a bridge between the public and the peace officers who protect them. It is a reminder to young people that law enforcement offers a meaningful and rewarding career path; a way to provide for their families while making Washington better and safer for all. Most importantly, it is proof that the future of public safety is here in Northwest Washington.
State Sen. John Lovick, D-Mill Creek, serves the 44th Legislative district and previously served as a Washington State Patrol trooper for 31 years. Monica Alexander is the director of the state’s Criminal Justice Training Commission. Previously she served in the Washington State Patrol for 23 years.
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