By Executive Director Monica Alexander
May 2025 Edition
Watch the full interview here.
May is always a powerful month for our agency. It’s a time of reflection, remembrance, and renewal.
This month, we recognize National Police Week, a solemn reminder of the risks our law enforcement professionals face and the lives lost in the line of duty. For me, Police Week brings both sadness and gratitude. Sadness for those we’ve lost—and gratitude that their legacy continues to guide our work. At the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, we honor those officers not only at our Memorial Wall, but by ensuring their stories shape how we train the next generation.
Our recruits walk past that wall every day. They see the names of fallen officers, troopers, corrections professionals, and even K9s. It grounds them in the reality of this work. The danger is real—but so is the preparation. Our trainers—many of whom served alongside those honored on the wall—train with purpose. Their commitment helps keep the lessons of the past from becoming repeated headlines.
May also marks a period of celebration. We have five academy graduations this month, and each one is a highlight. Watching the transformation from day one to graduation never gets old. I meet these recruits when they’re just starting out—nervous, hopeful—and a few months later, I see confident, community-ready officers walking across the stage. It’s a reminder of what’s possible when we train the right way—with professionalism, empathy, and heart.
And speaking of heart, Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there—especially those in uniform. You do one of the hardest jobs out there, and then you come home and do another. We see you. We appreciate you.
Lastly, I want to acknowledge our juvenile corrections officers who graduated this month. Their role is critical, and not often in the spotlight. It breaks my heart that young people are incarcerated, but it’s our responsibility to ensure they are treated with dignity. The professionals stepping into this space are doing so with compassion, strength, and purpose—and we are proud to be part of their journey.
Thank you to everyone—our staff, our trainers, and our partners—who make this work possible. CJTC is getting the job done, and we’re just getting started.
Stay safe, stay connected,
Monica