First grants awarded under WA's new $100M police hiring program
The first two grants from Washington’s new $100 million effort to boost law enforcement hiring have been awarded to local police departments, after months of frustration over the program’s rollout.
The Kent Police Department plans to use over $1.9 million in state funding to hire 20 new entry-level officers, according to the state Criminal Justice Training Commission, which administers the program. It also wants to spend the money on training and new medical monitoring technology at the local jail.
The Black Diamond Police Department in southeast King County will get $375,000 to hire one new officer. That amount would cover salary benefits over multiple years.
Monica Alexander, the commission’s executive director, said the awards “represent an important step in implementing the Legislature’s vision for strengthening public safety across Washington.”
https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/03/10/first-grants-awarded-under-was-new-100m-police-hiring-program/