When Renee Rafiei stood in her Corrections Officers Equivalency Academy (COEA) classroom, she carried with her the weight of a life shaped by resilience. Born in Tehran, Iran, and raised in the shadow of religious persecution, her family fled so she could have a future beyond the limitations of her faith.
“My role after high school was to get married or find a job working in a store without a real future,” Rafiei said. “My parents… Read more
September Edition
This September is a month of milestones at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission. I have the privilege of watching our recruits complete their journeys through the academy and step into their roles as guardians of democracy, ready to serve communities across Washington.
We’re celebrating three graduations this month: BLEA Class 918 in Spokane, BLEA Class 919 in Burien, and COA Class 500 in Burien. Each ceremony is more than a marker of completion—it’s a testament to the… Read more
The Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC) marked a milestone with the first graduating class of the Juvenile Corrections Officers Academy (JCOA) at its Southwest Regional Campus. This historic class reflects the Commission’s commitment to bringing training closer to local communities and preparing officers with the empathy, professionalism, and skills to impact the lives of youth in their care positively.
The Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC) is piloting a new era of immersive learning with virtual reality (VR) training at our Northwest Regional Campus in Arlington. This cutting-edge program, developed in partnership with Axon, gives recruits and officers realistic, hands-on experiences that sharpen judgment, strengthen skills, and improve retention. By practicing in a safe and controlled environment, officers are better prepared to make sound decisions in the field—leading to stronger community trust and safer outcomes for the people they… Read more