ARLINGTON—Arlington’s Regional Basic Law Enforcement Academy graduated its first class of 27 new law enforcement officers on Tuesday, July 29, since opening its doors back in March.
The opening of the training facility is just part of the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission’s (WSCJTC) regional academy model to expand training access and strengthen local law enforcement recruitment across Washington state, the Commission said.
“By the authority of the Washington Administrative Code, and the revised code of Washington, I hereby attest that the officers in Class 915 have met all of the requirements as peace officers for the State of Washington,” said Commander Paul Bakala. “Please join me in welcoming Washington’s newest Police Officers.”
The Arlington facility, which offers immersive virtual reality training, modular simulation houses, and vehicle scenario space, enables new recruits to complete their required 720-hour basic training closer to home. It was designed to remove barriers for those unable to relocate to WSCJTC’s main campus in Burien.
BLEA Class 915 includes recruits from agencies across the North Sound region, including Snohomish and Skagit counties. The class began training earlier this year and completed comprehensive coursework in patrol procedures, de-escalation, defensive tactics, criminal law, and community engagement.
There was a total of approximately 300 people in attendance at Tuesday’s ceremony as well as roughly 50 elected officials.
The graduation ceremony began with a few words by Executive Director Monica Alexander, before TAC Officer Andrew Schuck presented select members of class 915 awards.
“Our Northwest Regional Campus is a game-changer in the way we train peace officers in Washington,” said WSCJTC Executive Director Monica Alexander. “This graduation represents more than the end of an academy—it represents the start of stronger community-based policing rooted in local training, support, and service.”
TAC Officer Stephanie Ambrose then presented the graduating class of 915 their certificates of completion before Commander Bakala swore them in as official peace officers.
“At a time when we really need officers of moral fiber, this class seems pretty exceptional, so it’s a good seed planted,” Susan Hobbs, attendee at the ceremony and grandmother of Lynnwood Police Officer Graduate Alex Hankins, told the Lynnwood Times.
List of Graduates in Class 915
The complete graduating class 915 included the following new recruits:
- Officer Dacia Dufresne and Officer Daniel Stewart of the Bellingham Police Department.
- Officer Trevor Chau and Officer Andrew Richardson of the Blaine Police Department
- Officer Barret Brown and Officer Zachary Nolan of the Bothell Police Department
- Officer Russell Wittenberg of the Chewelah Police Department
- Officer Leah Catoe, Officer Kevin Lillis, Officer Justin Coker, and Officer Christian Miles of the Everett Police Department
- Deputy Samuel Okutsu of the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office
- Officer Alex Hankins and Officer John Merica of the Lynnwood Police Department
- Officer Travis Houde of the Marysville Police Department
- Officer Nolan Hollingsworth of the Monroe Police Department
- Officer Noah Cook of the Sedro-Wooley Police Department
- Deputy Matthew Roberts of the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office
- Deputy Timothy Daniels, Deputy Bryan Ngo, Deputy Josue Garcia, Deputy Brendan Osburn, Deputy Sean Graver, and Deputy Joshua Rzechula of the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office
- And Deputy Kara Veldman of the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office
“We are completely thrilled that John has completed the course and done so well,” said Jim Gonzalez, father of graduating Police Officer John Merica who will be serving in Lynnwood.
Merica was also one of the Officers involved in the ACCESS Project’s Cops vs Kids Youth Basketball games. Wally Webster, founder of the ACCESS Project, and organizer of the event, told the Lynnwood Times Merica’s “caring about the youth is an indication of why he became a Police Officer today.”
“When you carry that forward, I think that’s absolutely wonderful,” said Webster.
Graduates will now undertake post academy training to ensure that they’re on board with the jurisdictions where they’ll be serving. After that, new recruits will receive training on the vehicles and tools they’ll be using. They’ll start Field Training for about five months with a Field Training Officer preparing them for solo patrols and service.
Awardees of Class 915
In addition to graduating from the police academy and being sworn in as Washington’s newest law enforcement officers, the following graduates were honored with specific accreditations:
- Academics: Leah Catoe with the Everett Police Department won third place in Academy Achievement, followed by Deputy Brendan Osburn in second place, followed by Russell Wittenberg of the Chewelah Police Department in first place.
- Practical Skills: Russell Wittenberg won third place in practical skills, followed by Daniel Stewart from the Bellingham Police Department in second place, followed by John Merica with the Lynnwood Police Department in first place.
- Best Overall Performance: Deputy Samuel Okutsu of the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office took third place, followed by Deputy Brendan Osburn with the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office in second, followed by Officer Russell Wittenberg.
- Force and Fitness Award: Officer Dacia Dufresne, Officer Alex Hankins with the Lynnwood Police Department, Officer John Merica with the Lynnwood Police Department, Deputy Samuel Okutsu with the Lewis County Sheriff Office, Officer Andrew Richardson with the Blaine Police Department, and Deputy Matthew Roberts with the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office all completed this rigorous hand-cuffing and fitness course on their own time, logging hundreds of hours each.
- Patrol Partner Award: Russell Wittenberg with the Chewelah Police Department. This award was voted on by every member of the class, collectively deciding who – in some of the worst calls imaginable – they would like to have covering their back.
“Class 915, I want you to know that the journey you’re embarking on is a noble, and honorable one. Law enforcement is an incredible profession that is filled with great people. The reality is that not everyone can do this work. And this is what makes you special,” said TAC Officer Andrew Shuck. “Your communities are lucky to have each and every one of you.”
What elected officials and Police Chiefs are saying about Class 915
The Lynnwood Times interviewed several elected officials and police chiefs in attendance at Tuesday’s ceremony. Here’s what they had to say about the graduating class, the Law Enforcement Academy in general, and how academies like these will serve the public safety of Washington as a whole.
“It’s exciting to have our first graduating class up here in North Puget Sound and I’m looking forward to seeing our Deputies and Officers start to rekindle some of the losses [in staffing] over the years,” said Washington State Representative and Snohomish County Councilman Sam Low.
“Graduation from Police Academy is extremely important for me, it’s wonderful because I get to connect a little bit with parents and let them know that we’re not just a Police Department but we’re a City. Every Officer that chooses to go down this path we are there for them,” said Lynnwood Mayor Christine Frizzell.
Mayor Frizzell informed the Lynnwood Times she typically attends four to five Police graduation ceremonies a year.
Sen. Lovick, who very much was the champion behind the law enforcement academy opening in Arlington, told the Lynnwood Times the graduation ceremony was “absolutely outstanding.”
“If you can’t feel good about today you can’t feel good about anything,” said Sen. Lovick.
Senator June Robinson was also pivotal in getting the law enforcement academy up in running, along with Sen. Lovick.
“We looked for a long time for a facility in Snohomish County, and tried a number of different avenues, and landed on one that works well in Arlington. Today is proof that it’s important to have a local presence here,” said Sen. Robinson.
“To see this much support, that’s the kind of support that this academy is generating in public and it’s amazing because it’s about time right? Our law enforcement professionals have had a hard time and I think that’s turning around, and thing like this help,” said Sen. Keith Wagoner.
“I can tell you that we train [graduates] up to the highest level that we can, upholding a culture of people who have each other’s back. They will be supported, they will never be alone, I can tell you that,” said Lynnwood Police Chief Cole Langdon. “We hire or character and the two people coming out of here came in with great character, they’re people with integrity, and with this training the community is going to be well served.”
“Any time we see multiple officers graduating that’s a great thing for us. We’re constantly looking for great candidates, doing background processes, conducting interviews and this is really the end of a long journey of that,” said Everett Police Chief John DeRousse. “I’m really excited for them. It’s the beginning of their training. Now they’ll go out and get in cars and have an opportunity to take all the stuff they learned here, apply it on the streets, and learn the Everett way.”
“We’re so excited. This is a long time coming. Our thanks go out to the state for making this happen. To have our Deputies train in the communities where they’re going to serve – I’m very excited for what the future holds,” said Snohomish County Sheriff Susanna Johnson.
“It was special to join friends and family in celebrating these academy graduates. I wish each of them the best in their law enforcement careers,” said Snohomish County Councilman Nate Nehring.
“Today is such a great day, because what I see is that our law enforcement officers are expanding – we have many more than we did before – and that is so needed for Washington State and the quality of these officers is top notch,” said Washington State Representative Alicia Rule, Co-Chair of the Public Safety Caucus.
“At a time when law enforcement agencies are struggling to recruit and retain officers, it is inspiring to see such an incredible turnout of community support for this graduation ceremony. Congratulations to all the newly sworn in officers and a special welcome to the six new Snohomish County Sheriff’s Deputies who took their oaths today! We are lucky to have you,” said Snohomish County Councilman Jared Mead.
Author: Kienan Briscoe
