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Spokane to House Second Basic Police Academy in Washington

For the first time in five years, hopeful police officers will be able to complete their full training in eastern Washington. Police leaders announced last week that the Basic Law Enforcement Training Academy is to be reestablished in Spokane.

The academy is run by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission. The only existing basic law enforcement academy in the state is in Burien. Spokane’s police chief has been in close communication with the commission director about the need for training on Washington’s east side. Police spokesperson Monique Cotton says Spokane’s academy will start up in January.
 
Cotton: “This is a very big deal. It’s been five years since we’ve hosted this basic law enforcement academy, and our hope is that we can increase that accessibility to get basic law enforcement officers trained, and more quickly on the street.”
 
Cotton says officers in training from throughout the state will be able to use either the Burien or Spokane academy. Instructors will come from the state academy and Spokane Police Academy.
 
The Spokane Police Department is currently expanding to meet the recommendations for a city of its size. It’s in the middle of hiring 25 more officers, to reach 300 total.
 
Copyright 2014 Spokane Public Radio