PORT ANGELES — The newest member of the Port Angeles Police Department, Matthew Wolff, began training at the Criminal Justice Training Center in Burien this week.
Wolff, a Port Angeles resident and 2001 graduate of Port Angeles High School, was sworn in by Chief Terry Gallagher on July 11.
On Monday, he began an 18-week basic law enforcement academy in Burien.
The basic training is an intensive program of classroom instruction, defensive tactics, field scenarios and physical training that is required for all entry-level law enforcement officers in Washington state.
The basic academy will be followed by a 12- to 14-week field training and evaluation program at the Port Angeles Police Department.
He will be assigned to at least three certified field training officers and will be evaluated through the three phases of the program, said Deputy Chief Brian Smith in a statement.
Served in Iraq
Wolff served in the Army as an intelligence analyst from June 2001 to June 2005, including a deployment to Iraq for more than a year beginning in 2003.
He earned an associate degree in science from Cascadia College in 2009 and completed a bachelor’s in business management from Peninsula College in June.
From late 2010 and through early 2011, Wolff completed a two-semester internship at the Port Angeles Police Department.
Said Smith:
“One of the objectives of the Police Department student intern program has been to attract and recruit college students for jobs in local law enforcement.
“With his military service, education and demonstrated skills, he has shown himself to be particularly well-suited for a career in law enforcement.
“We are proud of Matt and consider ourselves very fortunate to have him as our newest member of the Police Department.”