WCPA Calls on WA Police to Rectify “Low Compliance” with Mandatory Training Law
Olympia, WA 4/24/2026—The Washington Coalition for Police Accountability (WCPA), an organization led by families who’ve lost loved ones to police violence, today calls on police departments across the state to fully cooperate with a 2018 mandatory training law after a State Auditor’s Office (SAO) Performance Report revealed shockingly low compliance.
According to the report, since 2018, “just 16% of veteran officers and 14% of new officers have completed their required 40 hours of continuing training.” The mandatory training is a part of the Law Enforcement Training and Community Safety Act (LETCSA), which came out of Initiative 940, and includes required training on deescalation, mental health awareness, police tactics, and cultural awareness.
SEE THE REPORT: State Auditor's Office's Performance Report on the training requirements of LETCSA
Shelly Washington, WCPA impacted family member and aunt of Kevin Peterson, Jr., said: “For those of us who have lost loved ones to police violence, the findings in this report are another devastating blow telling us, yet again, that police do not care about the people who they have sworn to protect.”
Fred Thomas, WCPA impacted family member and father of Leonard Thomas, said: “We are troubled by the results of the SAO’s performance report, which shows that police agencies have failed to comply with the law despite having taken oaths to uphold the laws of our state. This low cooperation is the very essence of the police culture issues which LETCSA was created to address. Police departments’ indifference, delay tactics, and shirking their responsibilities make the law ineffective.”
Debbie Novak, WCPA impacted family member and mother of David Novak, said: “We want LETCSA to succeed, because the families who advocated to pass this law and the impacted families of WCPA know that deescalation works. We know that people in crisis are subjected to higher rates of police violence. We know that better cultural and diversity understanding by police would save lives. Policing in Washington still needs to change. For us, the ultimate goal is getting officers trained and increasing community safety.”
Elaine Simons, WCPA impacted family member and foster mother of Jesse Sarey, said: “I-940 was instrumental in bringing charges, conviction and sentencing against the former Auburn Police Officer Jeff Nelson responsible for my foster son Jesse Sarey murder. He is currently serving 16.8 years for second degree murder and first degree assault and is de-certified.”
WCPA supports the recommendations given by the SAO and the legislature establishing a work group focused on ensuring a sustainable program to train officers. WCPA is committed to this ongoing work and looks forward to the day when law enforcement leaders and officers do not believe they are above the law.
