Washington Launches $100M Police Hiring Program, Awards First Grants

Kent and Black Diamond police departments receive funding to boost staffing levels.

Mar. 11, 2026 at 2:26am

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Washington state has awarded the first grants from its new $100 million program aimed at boosting law enforcement hiring. The Kent Police Department received over $1.9 million to hire 20 new entry-level officers, while the Black Diamond Police Department was awarded $375,000 to hire one new officer. The grants are part of the state's effort to move out of last place among states in police staffing per capita.

Why it matters

The new police hiring program is a response to staffing challenges faced by local law enforcement agencies in Washington. By providing funding to departments, the state hopes to strengthen public safety and community policing across the state.

The details

The grants were awarded by the state's Criminal Justice Training Commission, which is administering the program. The Kent Police Department plans to use the funding for new officer hires as well as training and technology for the local jail. The Black Diamond Police Department will use its grant to add one new officer to help address rapid population growth in the city. To qualify for the grants, local jurisdictions must meet certain criteria, including following state model policies, hitting training benchmarks, and collecting use of force data.

  • The state Legislature created the grant program last year at the request of Gov. Bob Ferguson.
  • It's been 10 months since Ferguson signed the law establishing the $100 million police hiring program.
  • The current grant period ends at the end of March 2026.

The players

Washington State Legislature

The state legislature created the $100 million police hiring program last year.

Gov. Bob Ferguson

The Democratic governor pushed for the creation of the $100 million program, saying he wouldn't sign a budget without it.

Criminal Justice Training Commission

The state agency that is administering the police hiring grant program.

Kent Police Department

Received over $1.9 million in grant funding to hire 20 new entry-level officers.

Black Diamond Police Department

Awarded $375,000 to hire one new officer to help address rapid population growth in the city.

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What they’re saying

“These funds will help us continue planning responsibly for growth in a way that supports our residents, strengthens the community, and ensures Black Diamond remains such a special place.”

— Jamey Kiblinger, Black Diamond Police Chief

“Agencies large and small have spent hundreds of hours on administrative time on this process and eventually actual officers can start to be trained to finally do policing. This is a step to help serve victims in our communities.”

— Steve Strachan, Executive Director, Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs

What’s next

The Criminal Justice Training Commission plans to host several more opportunities for cities and counties to access the police hiring grant funding. Agencies have until mid-2028 to spend the money, which can cover up to 75% of officer salaries and benefits.

The takeaway

The new police hiring program represents an important investment by Washington state to address staffing challenges faced by local law enforcement agencies and strengthen public safety across the state. However, the program's rollout has faced some delays, highlighting the need for streamlined processes to get funding to departments quickly.