In March, the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC) became the second law enforcement training agency in the nation to earn accreditation from the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training (IADLEST). WSCJTC received the highest score ever awarded by IADLEST. While the recognition marks a major milestone, its impact goes well beyond the title.
IADLEST reviewed every aspect of our operation, including curriculum design, instructor qualifications, safety protocols, facilities, and internal policies. WSCJTC not only met the benchmarks—it received the highest score ever awarded and earned the IADLEST Academy Accreditation Award of Excellence.
“This speaks to the commitment they have,” said Mike Damitio, IADLEST Accreditation and Grants Manager. “They were willing to self-assess, look at areas where they could improve, and then did the hard work to do that.”
Why Accreditation Matters
Law enforcement training influences how officers engage with the public and navigate complex situations. Accreditation verifies that the organization delivering that training operates with integrity, consistency and oversight.
“Training is where the profession begins,” said WSCJTC Executive Director Monica Alexander. “This accreditation confirms that our officers are being trained to the highest possible standard—and that we’re committed to keeping it that way.”
The result is greater transparency, stronger public trust and a commitment to quality that is both measurable and sustained.
What It Means for Washington
Accreditation is more than a credential. It’s an operational commitment. WSCJTC’s Burien campus now serves as a model for consistent, defensible training statewide.
“Our goal is simple,” Alexander said. “Wherever you train in Washington, you should receive the same quality instruction—grounded in research, community needs and professional excellence.”
That’s why the Commission is working to expand IADLEST accreditation to regional campuses in Spokane, Pasco, Vancouver and Arlington. Each location will undergo the same independent review process to ensure they meet nationally recognized standards in governance, instructional delivery, facilities, and student evaluation.
What Comes Next
WSCJTC is also working toward IADLEST certification of its curriculum—a process that focuses on course content, including learning objectives, lesson plans, assessments, and instructional materials.
Where accreditation evaluates the organization that delivers training, certification ensures the training itself meets national best practices, is rooted in current research, and is legally defensible.
All instruction within the Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA) is currently under review for certification, including key components such as LETCSA, People First, LGBTQ+ Core Competency, and Criminal Legal System. The goal is to complete certification by the end of summer 2025.
Accreditation and certification together form a comprehensive standard—ensuring that both the training we provide and the way we provide it are aligned with the highest level of professional policing.
This isn’t a finish line. It’s a platform for growth.
WSCJTC will continue to evolve its curriculum, strengthen scenario-based instruction, and utilize data to track the effectiveness of training in achieving real-world outcomes. As Alexander put it, “We owe it to our recruits—and to the communities they serve—to keep raising the bar.”
