When Corrections TAC Officer Lin Lin watches recruits walk across the stage on graduation day, he sees more than future corrections professionals—he sees possibility. "It’s very rewarding," he says. From the very beginning, when they know nothing, to the day they graduate, they learn a lot about corrections and the new era of policing.
For Lin, the journey to becoming a TAC officer wasn’t easy—but it was deeply personal. Born in China, he immigrated to the United States at age 15. “It was really hard,” he recalls. “I’m still learning English right now.” He arrived in Puyallup in 2002, graduated from high school in 2006, and shortly after joined the Army National Guard, where he still serves today, recently promoted to officer after 18 years of service.
From a young age, Lin knew he wanted to be a police officer. “Even when I was in China, I always thought it would be an honorable job to serve your community,” he says. However, the road to law enforcement involved learning English, becoming a U.S. citizen, and overcoming early setbacks, including failing his first oral board interview.
That didn’t stop him.
After gaining experience in the National Guard and building the foundational skills needed for a law enforcement career, Lin applied to work in corrections. “It was a good starting point,” he says. He passed the test, got the job, and eventually found his way to the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission.
Today, he brings his perspective as an immigrant, soldier, and public servant to training the next generation of corrections officers. “Training is evolving,” Lin explains. “It’s more about care—about teaching them what’s right. It’s not just physical or verbal use. It’s about bringing them up.”
He also sees his own story as proof that hard work pays off. I want people to know that the American dream is still alive. I’m a good example. Just work hard. Have a goal in mind and just work for it.”
Now married with two kids, Lin balances life with family, military service, and a deep commitment to building ethical, resilient professionals in corrections. His journey—from a 15-year-old newcomer to the U.S. to a trusted leader at WSCJTC—is of persistence, heart, and service.
And for every recruit who steps into the academy unsure of what’s ahead, Lin Lin is an example of what’s possible when you believe in the mission and never give up.
