NEWS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
David Quinlan, Communications Manager | david.quinlan@cjtc.wa.gov
WSCJTC EARNS IADLEST ACCREDITATION, SETTING NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING
Burien, WA – March 11th, 2025 – The Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC) has earned Accreditation from the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training (IADLEST), scoring higher than any other IADLEST-Accredited agency. This recognition affirms WSCJTC’s commitment to excellence in law enforcement training and its role as a national leader in professional standards.
IADLEST Accreditation is awarded to training academies that meet or exceed rigorous national benchmarks in curriculum development, instructor qualifications, facility standards, and operational policies. WSCJTC underwent a comprehensive review, including on-site assessments, policy evaluations, and training observations, to ensure compliance with the highest standards in law enforcement education.
“We understand that it is hard. The standards the training center just went through are not easy to achieve, and it took changes in how they did their business processes,” said Mark E. Damitio, IADLEST Accreditation and Grants Manager. “That speaks to the commitment they have. They were willing to self-assess and look at areas where they could improve—and then did the hard work to do that.”
This Accreditation further strengthens WSCJTC’s mission to provide high-quality, evidence-based training to Washington law enforcement and public safety professionals. The commission’s efforts are improving officer preparedness and enhancing community trust and accountability in policing.
“Achieving IADLEST Accreditation is a testament to the dedication of our instructors, staff, and leadership,” said Monica Alexander, WSCJTC Executive Director. “This process required us to critically evaluate our training, refine our programs, and commit to continuous improvement. This milestone belongs to everyone at WSCJTC, and we will use it as a foundation to expand Accreditation to our regional academies.”
WSCJTC remains committed to training the best law enforcement officers in the country by setting high standards, continuously improving our programs, and ensuring that every officer who graduates from our academy is prepared to serve with integrity, skill, and accountability. This Accreditation is a recognition of success and a reaffirmation of WSCJTC’s responsibility to lead the way in law enforcement training.
Read the full IADLEST report here.
ABOUT WSCJTC: Established in 1974, WSCJTC provides training to law enforcement, corrections officers, and other public safety professionals. Its mission is to establish certification and training standards so that criminal justice professionals in Washington state have the knowledge and skills to protect the communities they serve. For more information, visit the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission.