New Birch Bay neighborhood deputy starts patrols

A new face is patrolling the streets of Birch Bay.

Joel Douglas started his first shift as Birch Bay neighborhood deputy for the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) on January 11.

Growing up in Custer, Douglas lived on a small farm and attended Lynden Christian High School before earning his associate’s degree at Whatcom Community College. From a young age, Douglas knew he wanted to serve people – either through the military, like his dad, or law enforcement. He decided on law enforcement because it would allow him to remain close to home.

“I started looking into joining the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office because I grew up in the county and was more exposed to seeing them,” Douglas said.

At 22 years old, Douglas began working as a WCSO corrections officer, which allowed him to work with people incarcerated in the county jail and exposed him to other agencies involved in the criminal justice system. After four years as a corrections officer, Douglas joined the Bellingham Police Department where he worked as a patrol officer and as part of the neighborhood anti-crime team. Douglas said he enjoyed the neighborhood anti-crime position because he could devote more time on cases.

“It was a proactive position that worked with the community to focus on crime trends and look for folks who were actively involved in property crimes,” Douglas said.

When a position at the sheriff’s office became available in 2021, Douglas was eager to patrol the county.

“I’ve gotten to see more geography and have more exposure to a lot of other folks,” he said. “There’s a variety of different calls that the county brings.”

Douglas said he is excited to meet Birch Bay residents, whether that’s stopping by businesses or neighborhood meetings, to learn what’s important to them. Property crime and mental health calls are already two problems Douglas has noted, he said.

“I love talking to people and getting their input and insight on what they’d like to see done or what’s bothering them,” he said. “I try to solve the issues as they come up.”

When he’s not patrolling, Douglas enjoys spending time with his wife and three children, as well as running, golfing and playing softball.

Douglas replaces Derek Jones, who served as Birch Bay neighborhood deputy for two years before he was promoted to the detective unit.

“I’m excited. I hope to be here for many years,” he said. “I want [Birch Bay residents] to enjoy living here and I want them to enjoy me being out here with them.”

For nonemergency inquiries, Douglas can be contacted at jdouglas@co.whatcom.wa.us. People with emergencies should always call 911.