Training the Guardians of Democracy
"The Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC) was created in 1974 to establish standards and provide training to criminal justice professionals, including peace officers, local corrections officers and to certify, and when necessary de-certify, peace officers. As per RCW 43.101.020, Washington State is one of only a few states that not only establishes training standards, but also provides Basic Training for Peace Officers and Corrections Officers. This unique model ensures that every local officer has consistent and high quality training guided by 21 Governor appointed Commissioners and our state legislature. Through economies of scale, we are able to maintain a highly capable staff comprised of the best trainers in the state. Further, we are able to engage in partnerships with leading experts and researchers from across the nation, developing innovative strategies and evaluating state of the art training methodologies.
Whether you're a criminal justice professional or a member of the community we serve - we're glad you're here! It is an honor for every member of the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission team to establish standards and provide training that upholds the core ideals of our democracy and keeps our communities safe. We accomplish this noble mission by building a culture that institutionalizes our philosophy of serving our community as 'Guardians'."
View our 2025- 2027 strategic plan here. Read the WSCJTC Policy Manual here.
We are open Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed on Fridays and major holidays.
VISION
Advance standards of excellence within criminal justice professions so the people of Washington State live in safe and secure communities.
MISSION
Establish certification and training standards which are legally defensible and scientifically valid to ensure criminal justice professionals in Washington state have the knowledge and skills to safely protect the communities they serve.
VALUES
Leadership – We lead in certification and training through continuous evaluation, collaboration, improvement, and innovation with the goal of modeling best practices for criminal justice professionals.
Integrity – We do the right thing for the right reason with transparency and honesty.
Dignity – We demonstrate respect for each other and the communities we serve.
Accountability – We are dedicated stewards of the resources and responsibilities entrusted to us by the communities we serve.