Year in review: Whatcom County Sheriffs Office

As I reflect on the past year, I am proud of the accomplishments and milestones achieved by the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) in serving Point Roberts. Deputy Leach continues his specialty assignment as resident deputy, handling calls for service and general law enforcement coverage.
In June, the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office joined the Seattle Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. This partnership led to our first ICAC arrest in October, in Point Roberts, involving multiple counts of sexually explicit conduct. This arrest marked a significant milestone in our efforts to protect children from exploitation and abuse.
For the first time, our Division of Emergency Management's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program was offered in Point Roberts this past April. The program empowered community members with the skills to respond effectively in emergencies.
One of the year's most memorable moments was the rescue of a distressed baby seal in August. Our marine unit assisted Whatcom County Fire District No. 5 in rescuing the seal. The seal received the care it needed and was transferred to the SeaLife Rescue Center for further rehabilitation.
This year, we hosted several conferences and seminars that attracted attendees from many states:
¬ Mental Health and Wellness Policing Summit
¬ Annual Marine Law Enforcement Conference
¬ 40-hour Crisis Intervention Team Certification Course
¬ National Institute of Corrections
We applied for and received a mental wellness grant from the Criminal Justice Training Commission to contract a physician who is in the preliminary stages of establishing a mental wellness and peer support program for our Patrol Division, Corrections Bureau, and Investigations.
Lastly, we initiated a pilot program in our Corrections Bureau to reduce recidivism and promote successful re-entry. The program focused on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), mindfulness practices, and communication and collaboration with re-entry case managers.