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Five corrections officers sworn in; Kent corrections facility earns renewed WASPC accreditation, council says
Summary
Chief Padilla introduced and the mayor swore in five new Kent corrections officers. Council member Boyce announced the Kent Corrections Facility and the police department were reaffirmed as accredited by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) with no deficiencies.
Kent Police Chief Padilla introduced five newly hired corrections officers at the Oct. 21 council meeting and Mayor Dana Ralph administered their oaths of office.
Chief Padilla said the jail had recently experienced retirements and personnel movement and that the five new officers restored the facility to full staffing. The officers introduced to the public and sworn in were identified as Daniel Bartlett, Harmon Gruwell, Austin May, Sharafuddin Massad and Marquis Santos. Padilla described each officer's background in brief remarks; collectively the officers cited service, community ties and language skills as reasons they joined Kent.
During remarks after the swearing-in, Council member Boyce announced that Kent's corrections facility had achieved accreditation from the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) again after a peer inspection. Boyce said the accreditation process covers more than 170 standards and that Kent's jail passed with "no deficiencies," a distinction he said the city takes seriously because it demonstrates ongoing compliance with operational standards.
The council and the chief thanked the officers and their family members who attended the ceremony.
Speakers
- Chief Padilla, Kent Police Department (public safety report, 00:32:17) - Council member Boyce (accreditation announcement, 00:44:00)
Clarifying details
- sworn officers: Daniel Bartlett; Harmon Gruwell; Austin May; Sharafuddin Massad; Marquis Santos - accreditation: WASPC (Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs); council member Boyce said the facility passed inspection with no deficiencies and that Kent is among a small number of agencies in the state with both police and jail accreditation.
