NEWS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
David Quinlan, communications manager
(206) 613-7656
david.quinlan@cjtc.wa.gov
WASHINGTON STATE CRIMINAL JUSTICE TRAINING COMMISSION APPROVES FIRST ESHB 2015 PUBLIC SAFETY GRANT AWARDS
BURIEN, Wash. — March 9, 2026 — The Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC) has approved the first grant awards under the state’s ESHB 2015 Public Safety Funding Program, marking a significant milestone in the implementation of a statewide effort to strengthen law enforcement staffing and community safety.
The first two approved applications will provide funding to the Kent Police Department and the Black Diamond Police Department to support officer recruitment, training and public safety improvements.
The Kent Police Department will receive approximately $1.92 million to support the hiring of 20 entry-level officers, provide additional training for officers and supervisors, and install new medical monitoring technology at the Kent Corrections Facility to improve inmate safety.
“I am grateful for this funding,” said Rafael Padilla, chief of police for the Kent Police Department. “This money will go directly toward the hiring and retention of new officers, additional training, and technology that will elevate medical care for those incarcerated in our jail — all of which will increase our ability to provide public safety services to the Kent community.”
The Black Diamond Police Department will receive $375,000 to hire one new entry-level police officer, helping the rapidly growing community maintain staffing levels, improve response times and expand community policing efforts.
“The City of Black Diamond is grateful for this grant investment,” said Jamey Kiblinger, chief of police for the Black Diamond Police Department. “These funds will help us continue planning responsibly for growth in a way that supports our residents, strengthens the community, and ensures Black Diamond remains such a special place.”
“These first awards represent an important step in implementing the Legislature’s vision for strengthening public safety across Washington,” said Monica Alexander, executive director of the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission. “Local agencies are facing real staffing challenges, and this program helps departments invest in the officers, training and tools they need to serve their communities effectively.”
The ESHB 2015 program was created by the Washington State Legislature to help local and tribal law enforcement agencies recruit, retain and train officers while strengthening community safety services statewide
Kent Police Department leaders say the grant will help the agency prepare for anticipated retirements and staffing changes while strengthening officer training and improving safety inside the city’s corrections facility. The department is authorized for 180 sworn officers and currently has vacancies, with additional retirements projected in the coming years.
In Black Diamond, one of Washington’s fastest-growing communities, the additional officer funded through the grant will help meet increasing service demands driven by rapid population growth and new residential development.
WSCJTC administers the statewide grant program and works with local agencies and tribes to ensure applications meet statutory requirements and program standards. Additional grant applications remain under review, and further funding decisions are expected in the coming months.
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About WSCJTC
Established in 1974, the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission provides training to law enforcement, corrections officers and other public safety professionals. The commission holds national accreditation through the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training. Its mission is to establish certification