VANCOUVER, Wa.– Friday we celebrated the grand opening of the SW WA Regional Criminal Justice Training Center. Governor Jay Inslee, State Representatives, and Law Enforcement Personnel from around the state joined Southwest Washington agencies to celebrate the new training location for recruit officers and deputies.
This training center provides local recruit officers and deputies a space to train without living in a different location for the five-month academy — a barrier that often prevented talented community members from pursuing a career in law enforcement.
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This is an important milestone! It’s first time, Southwest Washington will have its very own police academy! Sheriff John Horch joined Washington Governor Jay Inslee, Vancouver Police Department Chief Jeff Mori, lawmakers, Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC) representatives, and other regional law enforcement leaders to celebrate the new training center in Northeast Vancouver.
The Regional Academy is a vital step to expedite the recruitment of local deputies and officers and reduce academy wait times. Historically, most recruits have had to attend the nearly five-month academy in Burien, WA, which took them away from their families and loved ones. For many, that distance and time away was a barrier to entering the field of law enforcement. Along with easing the burden of distance, the Regional Academy will be an opportunity for community members with valuable life experience to begin a career in policing. The campus will also be an excellent opportunity for local law enforcement professionals to serve as instructors, facilitators, and mentors, which will improve training and service in our community.
CCSO would like to thank all our regional law enforcement partners and state and local elected officials who worked to make the SW Washington Regional Academy happen. The first academy class begins in mid-January.
*** Copy provided by VPD and CCSO***
Photos Courtesy of Clark County Sheriff’s Office & Vancouver Police