Port Townsend Police Department Earns Accreditation

WASPC Accreditation recognizes the department's commitment to professional excellence and best practices in law enforcement.

June 11, 2026 - PORT TOWNSEND – The Port Townsend Police Department has successfully completed the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) Accreditation Program and was formally recognized at the WASPC Spring Conference in Spokane this May.

The accreditation program certifies that a law enforcement agency is operating under established best practices and professional standards. The process includes a comprehensive review of policies, procedures, operations, facilities, training, records management, fiscal practices, use of force standards, recruitment processes, and evidence management.

"We are proud to achieve accreditation through WASPC," said Chief Thomas Olson. "To be the best at what we do, we need to meet those best practices. This recognition reflects years of work by our staff and demonstrates our commitment to accountability, professionalism, and service to the Port Townsend community."

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. The Accreditation Program originated in 1976 as part of a mandate from the Washington State legislature.

Accreditation has been a long-term goal for the Port Townsend Police Department. Former Police Chief Mike Adams initiated the process in 2015. Since becoming Chief in 2021, Olson renewed the department's efforts and worked with staff and accreditation consultants to complete the remaining requirements. "Once we had an adopted Strategic Plan, we had our final on-site inspection and passed with no discrepancies," Olson said. "Long range planning and meeting these standards helps ensure that we continue holding ourselves accountable and providing the highest level of service possible.

“Police Department accreditation is something we’ve worked towards for many years,” said City Manager John Mauro. “In our commitment to our community’s safety and welfare, we need to reach for and be held accountable to high standards – which is what accreditation is all about. As we’ve been rebuilding the team the past few years, it’s a challenge to focus on the strategic when the day-to-day operational work is a lot to keep up with. Under Chief Tom Olson’s leadership, our Police team is fully staffed for the first time in a decade. We’re now in a place to not only achieve this significant milestone, but do more to benefit public safety in the community."

Benefits of accreditation include improved administrative and operational effectiveness, enhanced public confidence, stronger records management practices, consistent policy implementation, improved officer safety and training, and reduced organizational risk. Accreditation also demonstrates an agency's commitment to transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement. The certification is awarded for a four-year period, requiring a re-accreditation process and ensuring the standards are continually met by the department over time.

"Peer review for best practices is important to ensure and improve public trust," said Steven Strachan, Executive Director of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs. “Port Townsend took these direct and tangible steps to earn the public’s confidence in their operations. The community should be proud of the people in the police department who serve them every day."

                                                                  #                                                                #                                                                  #

To learn more about WASPC Accreditation, visit:  https://www.waspc.org/overview-of-accreditation-process