VANCOUVER, Wash. — A regional law enforcement training center has opened in Vancouver as part of a bigger effort to make the career more accessible and fill a lot of vacancies.
The new law enforcement training center is the second of several regional centers to train new officers where they live.
“When we went to the governor with this idea, it was the fastest 'yes' I’ve ever had; he was 100% behind it and was so supportive every step of the way,” said Monica Alexander, executive director of the Criminal Justice Training Commission, speaking of Washington Gov. Jay Inslee.
Inslee was on hand to open the center at the former Image Elementary School in East Vancouver, a temporary home until a permanent center can be built. They'll be able to train two classes of 30 here a year.
The governor approved the regional training center model; the State Legislature had earmarked $2 million to kickstart the effort in Southwest Washington.
“This center is going to allow more people to have easier access to training, which means more police officers in the state of Washington,” said Inslee.
Not having enough officers has been an ongoing problem, exacerbated by the state historically having just one main training center in Burien, more than 100 miles from Vancouver. It meant those from all over the state who wanted to learn to be a cop had to live far away from home and family during the five-month course.
“This training center brings those dreams closer to home, making that path to a career in law enforcement more accessible than ever before,” said state Sen. Annette Cleveland, a Democrat from Vancouver.
Now, the old elementary school has new purpose — one that Clark County Sheriff John Horch said will be a great recruiting tool and a great asset for everyone in Southwest Washington.
“When you can bring them in from the local area and you can get that engagement, and really, that sense of community ... you went to the police academy here and now you're serving the community here, that's what's great about this,” said Horch.
The long-term plan is to buy a large parcel that can accommodate a permanent training center.
For now, classroom work will happen at the school, while firearms training will happen at the Bonneville firing range, and driver training will happen at Portland International Raceway.
One region training center had previously opened in Pasco, and two others are expected to open in Everett and Bellingham.