Serving the Blaine, Birch Bay and Semiahmoo communities continues to be an honor of the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO).
Joel Douglas began as the Birch Bay neighborhood deputy in January 2024. He has incorporated himself into the neighborhood and participated in many community events such as the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, Fourth of July celebration, Kite Festival and Derby Day. Deputy Douglas was the lead deputy in coordinating National Night Out in August.
National Night Out focuses on community collaboration and raising awareness through camaraderie – thus making neighborhoods safer by increasing connections between those who serve and our community. Additionally, Deputy Douglas regularly attends the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce board meetings.
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
In June, WCSO joined the Seattle Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The detectives investigate child sexual exploitation (CSE) cases that might involve the production, distribution or possession of CSE materials or where Electronic Service Provider systems have been used for CSE crimes. CSE crimes often involve the use of computers, cellular phones, tablets or other electronic devices.
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 Division.
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, dialectical behavior therapy, mindfulness practices, and communication and collaboration with re-entry case managers.
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