About Certification Hearings

Under RCW 43.101.155, if the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC) determines, upon investigation, that there is probable cause to believe that an officer’s certification should be denied, suspended, or revoked, the WSCJTC will prepare and serve the officer with a statement of charges. The statement of charges will be accompanied by a notice that to receive a hearing on the denial or revocation, the officer must request a hearing within 60 days of communication of the statement of charges. If the officer fails to request a hearing within the 60-day period, the WSCJTC may enter an order of default revoking the officer's certification under RCW 34.05.440. If the officer requests a hearing, they have the opportunity to defend against the WSCJTC’s action. The officer may present witnesses or exhibits in support of their defense at the hearing. The officer is not required to put on a defense and may simply require the WSCJTC to prove its case. Under RCW 43.101.380, a five-member hearings panel will hear the case and make the WSCJTC’s final administrative decision.

The WSCJTC works in partnership with the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) during the revocation process. An OAH Administrative Law Judge appointed under RCW Chapter 34.12 is the presiding officer at the hearing and makes all necessary rulings in the course of the hearing, issues a proposed recommendation, but is not entitled to vote.

Certification hearings are open to the public. 

Panel Members

a. Hearings Panels for Peace Officers:

• One police chief or sheriff from an agency not a current or past employer of the officer;
• One certified Washington peace officer who is at or below the level of first line supervisor and who has at least ten years’ experience as a peace officer; - Not accepting applications at this time
• One civilian member of the Commission as appointed under RCW 43.101.030 (1) (f) and (h) through (j);
• One member of the public who is not a prosecutor, defense attorney, judge, or certified officer; and
• One person with expertise and background in police accountability who is not a current or former certified officer.

b. Hearings Panels for Corrections Officers:

• A person who heads either a city or county corrections agency or facility or of a Washington state department of corrections facility;
• One corrections officer who is at or below the level of first line supervisor and who has at least ten years’ experience as a corrections officer;
• One civilian member of the Commission as appointed under RCW 43.101.030 (1) (f) and (h) through (j);
• One member of the public who is not a prosecutor, defense attorney, judge, or peace officer; and
• One person with expertise and background in police accountability who is not a current or former peace officer or corrections officer.

 c. Hearings Panels for Tribal police officers:

• One tribal police chief;
• One tribal police officer who is at or below the level of first line supervisor, and who has at least ten years’ experience as a peace officer;
• One civilian member of the Commission as appointed under RCW 43.101.030 (1) (f) and (h) through (j);
• One member of the public who is not a prosecutor, defense attorney, judge, or peace officer; and
• One person with expertise and background in police accountability who is not a current or former peace officer or corrections officer.

If you are interested in applying for the certification hearings panel, the following documents will need to be submitted:

• Panel member application 
• Resume and the names and contact information for 3 references - The purpose of providing references is solely for verifying information provided on the application.
• Cover letter
• Letter of support from your agency supervisor (members of the public may submit a letter of recommendation in lieu of a letter of support)

Materials may be submitted to the Hearings Coordinator at  kayla.wold@cjtc.wa.gov or mailed to WSCJTC, Attention Kayla Wold, 19010 1^st Ave S. Burien, WA 98148.

Materials submitted to WSCJTC will be presented at the quarterly Commission meeting (March, June, September, December). Applications and materials should be submitted one month prior to the quarterly Commission meeting. Please note, the applicant does not need to attend. Upon approval or denial, a letter will be sent with more information.

Contacts

If you have any questions regarding current and past hearings, please contact the following staff:

Kayla Wold, Hearings Coordinator
(206) 835-7306
kayla.wold@cjtc.wa.gov

Upcoming Certification Hearings

All hearings are held in Room C-122 at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission.

Findings will be posted in "Hearing Outcomes" within 95 days of the hearing date.

Hearing Outcomes, Revocations, and Eligibility Reinstatements

Click on the link below to access our Certification Case Interactive Database.