Certification Complaint Process

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The Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC) certifies police, corrections, and limited authority officers who meet the definition for certification in Washington State and successfully complete training in their required academy. These certifications are similar to professional licenses required for many workers in healthcare, education, legal, and other fields.

The WSCJTC also plays an important role in police accountability through its decertification processes. Under State law, the WSCJTC can deny, suspend, or revoke this certification or require remedial training for officers who engage in certain misconduct. The WSCJTC Certification Bureau is responsible for certifying police and corrections officers and investigating misconduct that may result in decertification.

While the WSCJTC can deny, suspend, or revoke an officer’s certification, only the officer’s employer can terminate their employment with the agency.

Related: RCW 43.101.105 – Denial, suspension, or revocation of peace and corrections officer certification

Complaints

Who can file a complaint?

Anyone can file a complaint with the WSCJTC alleging that a certified officer in Washington State was engaged in misconduct. The WSCJTC will review all complaints, including anonymous complaints, and take appropriate action within its authority. Complainants are immune from any civil action related to the filing or contents of a complaint filed in good faith.

Related: RCW 43.101.145 – Written complaint to deny, suspend, or revoke peace or corrections officer certification—Immunity of complainant; WAC 139-17-010; WSCJTC Policy Anonymous Complaints

How do I file a complaint?

The best way to file a complaint is through our complaint web form here. If you have attachments to submit along with your complaint, please email the complaint to certificationcomplaints@cjtc.wa.gov. Make sure to provide as much information as possible to help our investigators, including officer name, employing agency, and date of incident. It is helpful if complainants provide their name and contact information for our team to follow up.

What happens after I file a complaint?

The WSCJTC will communicate with complainants within two business days to confirm their complaint was received and to provide the case number. The WSCJTC also notifies the officer’s agency of the receipt of a complaint. If you have indicated you want to remain anonymous, the WSCJTC will make reasonable efforts to maintain your anonymity and will redact personal identifying information in the complaint before notifying the agency.  Anonymity cannot be guaranteed in all circumstances.

Possible next steps include:

  • If your complaint alleges conduct that may disqualify a peace officer or corrections officer from holding a certification in Washington State, the WSCJTC will conduct a preliminary review of relevant materials and recommend the case for investigation.
  • If a preliminary review of your complaint is not conducted, which may disqualify an officer from holding a certification in Washington State, the WSCJTC will administratively close the case.
  • If your complaint does not involve an officer holding a certification in Washington State, the WSCJTC will close the case without action.
  • If WSCJTC determines that your complaint alleges criminal conduct, the WSCJTC will refer the matter for criminal investigation. The WSCJTC may suspend its review until the criminal investigation is completed.

Please be aware that the WSCJTC Certification Investigation Division has limited jurisdiction and only investigates complaints where the allegations, if true, may result in the WSCJTC revoking or suspending the certification of, or require remedial training for, an officer (see RCW 43.101.105).

Related: WSCJTC Policy Complaint Handling; WSCJTC Policy Administrative Closure

Agency Reports

The WSCJTC also receives reports directly from law enforcement agencies. Agencies are required to report the following to the WSCJTC within 15 days:

  • When a certified officer separates from their agency for any reason, including serious misconduct that can result in decertification;
  • When the agency first learns of a use of force by a certified officer, including canine bites, that caused serious injury or death;
  • When the agency first learns that a certified officer has been charged with a crime; and
  • When the agency makes an initial disciplinary decision for any misconduct listed in RCW 43.101.105.

The WSCJTC opens an investigation into any agency report that involves misconduct that may result in decertification under State law.

Related: RCW 43.101.135 – Separation of peace or corrections officer—Notification to commission—Investigation; WAC 139-06-020; see WAC 139-01-310 for definitions of serious injury

WSCJTC Investigations

The WSCJTC proceeds with an investigation in cases where the allegations, if true, may result in a police officer or corrections officer losing their certification. The WSCJTC provides a written explanation for any decision not to proceed with a complete investigation. In addition to complaints from the public and reports from law enforcement agencies, the WSCJTC may self-initiate investigations (e.g., upon learning of misconduct through the media).

Investigation timelines vary depending on the specific circumstances of each case and Bureau workload. Certain investigations may be prioritized above others based on the WSCJTC’s case prioritization policy.

Investigations are conducted in a fair, independent, objective, thorough, and timely manner. Investigative findings are based on the strength of the evidence and adherence to applicable laws as applied to the facts of the case.

When finished, the investigator submits the completed investigation for administrative review. All levels of Investigations Division leadership review and approve the investigation prior to making a final decision. At this point, the WSCJTC either closes the case without recommending disciplinary action or issues a Statement of Charges informing the officer that the WSCJTC intends to revoke or suspend their certification. If the investigation originated from a complaint, the WSCJTC will communicate with the complainant to inform them of the decline or Statement of Charges.

Related: WAC 139-06-030; WAC 139-06-040; WSCJTC Policies Certification Investigations; Conflict of Interest; Prioritization of Certification Investigations

Database

The WSCJTC maintains a public database with information on all conduct investigated, including the names of officers and employing agencies, notices and accompanying information provided by law enforcement or correctional agencies, including the reasons for separation from the agency, decertification or suspension actions pursued, and final disposition of cases for at least 30 years after final disposition of each incident.

Related: RCW 43.101.400 – Confidentiality of records—Public database

For additional documents that are not available on the database link, a public records request can be submitted on this website.

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