(Lacey, WA) --- The Washington State Gambling Commission (WSGC) has successfully completed a rigorous accreditation program that certifies it is operating under best practices and standards for law enforcement. The program is administered by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) and involves a seven-phase process over several months.
“We are proud to be accredited by WASPC,” said Tina Griffin, Executive Director. “It means our department has achieved the highest professional standards for policing.”
Benefits of accreditation include administrative and operational effectiveness, fair recruitment and employment practices, better records management, improved use of technology, health and safety, training, codes of conduct and prisoner security, among other important law enforcement tasks.
“Police accountability is important to ensure and improve public trust, said Steven Strachan, WASPC executive director, “The Gambling Commission took these direct and tangible steps to earn the public’s confidence in their operations. The community should be proud of the men and women who serve them every day.”
The certification is awarded for a four-year period when the re-accreditation process begins. WSGC’s 2026 accreditation follows its previous accreditation in 2022, 2018, and 2014.
The Washington Legislature originally called for the development of standards and goals for law enforcement in 1976.
WASPC was founded in 1963 and represents executive and top management personnel from law enforcement agencies statewide. With more than 900 members it includes sheriffs, police chiefs, as well as the Washington State Patrol, the Washington Department of Corrections, and representatives of several federal agencies and Tribal governments.
