Watch the full interview here.
Before stepping into the classroom at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC), Kees Lensing had already stood on some of the world’s biggest stages.
A former professional rugby player, Lensing represented Namibia in two Rugby World Cups and coached internationally for more than a decade—including as head coach of the Seattle Seawolves, Washington’s Major League Rugby team. He’s traveled to 39 countries, coached athletes from diverse cultures, and led teams through high-pressure, high-stakes environments.
Now, he’s training to become a Washington State Fish and Wildlife Officer—and this time, the field looks a little different.
Lensing is currently enrolled in the Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA), with plans to graduate in September 2025. But his journey to CJTC didn’t start this year. “Even before I started my rugby career, I always wanted to become a park ranger,” he says. That lifelong calling resurfaced when he saw a recruitment ad in 2023. “I told my wife, ‘That’s what I wanted to do.’”
His first attempt at the academy was interrupted by a serious injury. After undergoing surgery and nearly a year of recovery, Lensing returned to finish what he started—this time with even greater resolve.
At WSCJTC, we prepare public safety professionals to serve with integrity, dignity, and accountability. Our academy is designed around modern best practices, research-based curriculum, and an emphasis on building community trust. For Lensing, those values align naturally with the life he’s already lived.
“I’ve coached all over the world and been coached by many others,” he shares. “It gave me a different view of people, of how they communicate, and how to build trust. That experience—traveling, working with different cultures, leading under pressure—I hope I can pass some of that on.”
His presence in the classroom is already making an impact. “Hopefully I can help the younger guys in the class with a little life experience,” he says. “When you make contact with someone who doesn’t look like you, talk like you, act like you—how are you going to approach those people? A young recruit may not have that perspective yet.”
WSCJTC’s training evolves alongside the needs of modern communities. “The improvements from a year ago to now are impressive,” Lensing notes. “This isn’t a system stuck in the past—it’s responsive. The TAC officers bring real-world insight, and the guidance is grounded in what we’ll actually encounter on the job.”
More than just a career shift, this move reflects Lensing’s desire to lead with purpose. “For my kids, I want to be someone they can respect,” he says. “My dad told me, you’ve only got your integrity. Your word is your word.”
He also sees policing as a way to restore community connection. “If kids want to put on a little cop suit and play police with their friends, then we’re doing something right,” he says. “We need to get back to that.”
At WSCJTC, we’re proud to train the next generation of officers who are rooted in experience, driven by service, and committed to public trust. Recruits like Kees Lensing bring more than ambition—they bring global perspective, humility, and leadership. We’re honored to be part of his journey.