Blog

  • 10/08/2025

    October Edition

    This October has been a powerful reminder of how innovation, partnership, and purpose drive everything we do at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission.

    Earlier this month, we hosted a Virtual Reality (VR) training demonstration at our Burien headquarters that brought media, partners, and community members together… Read more

  • 09/23/2025

    When Renee Rafiei stood in her Corrections Officers Equivalency Academy (COEA) classroom, she carried with her the weight of a life shaped by resilience. Born in Tehran, Iran, and raised in the shadow of religious persecution, her family fled so she could have a future beyond the limitations of her faith.

    “My role after high school was to get married or find a job working in a store without a real future,” Rafiei said. “My parents… Read more

  • 09/17/2025

    September Edition

    This September is a month of milestones at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission. I have the privilege of watching our recruits complete their journeys through the academy and step into their roles as guardians of democracy, ready to serve communities across Washington.

    We’re celebrating three graduations this month: BLEA Class 918 in Spokane, BLEA Class 919 in Burien, and COA Class 500 in Burien. Each ceremony is more than a marker of completion—it’s a testament to the… Read more

  • 09/11/2025

    The Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC) marked a milestone with the first graduating class of the Juvenile Corrections Officers Academy (JCOA) at its Southwest Regional Campus. This historic class reflects the Commission’s commitment to bringing training closer to local communities and preparing officers with the empathy, professionalism, and skills to impact the lives of youth in their care positively.