Bingen-White Salmon  Police Department                            

BINGEN-WHITE SALMON POLICE MISSION STATEMENT 

To safeguard lives and property, to reduce the incidence and fear of crime and to enhance public safety while working with the people we serve to improve their quality of life.

            VISION STATEMENT                   Providing a safe and secure community that is open to all. 

                 CORE VALUES                         All human life is precious and equal. 

Our conduct will meet the highest standards of integrity, trust, and morality with respect for our citizens and fellow employees.

We hold ourselves accountable to the highest ideals of professionalism, ethics, and competency at every level of this department.

We demonstrate reverence for the law by personally modeling law-abiding behavior on and off duty.

We understand the strength of cooperation and collaboration and that our success depends on our ability to perform together as a cohesive team.

We encourage new ideas that support the fulfillment of our mission. 

AUTHORITY

Our Police officers cite infractions and misdemeanor violations of the Bingen and White Salmon Municipal Code (BWC and WSMC) and portions of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) which have been adopted by the City of Bingen and White Salmon directly into West District Court. Felony crimes are referred to the Klickitat County Prosecuting Attorney's Office for filing with the Klickitat County Superior Court.

Officers handle nuisance violations, such as inoperable vehicles, on publicly owned property within the City and will deal with those on private property. They also deal with Animal control issues.

CIVIL ISSUES    

Police officers in the State of Washington have a general criminal authority but only very limited civil authority. Civil issues are those that involve private arrangements between citizens. Criminal issues are those that involve actions or omissions that have been defined as criminal behavior by law and may be punished by fine or imprisionment (there are a few exceptions that are punishable by fine only). Civil issues are those that involve private arrangements between citizens.

Common examples of civil issues are landlord-tenant disputes and  personal property disputes between spouses or roommates, or failure of fulfillment of private contract obligations such as a vehicle sale or repair/installation of home products.

Officers cannot give legal advice on civil matters. If you are involved in a civil dispute, contact an attorney.

Labor Representation                        All officers except the Chief of Police are members of the AFSCME AFL-CIO.

CERTIFICATION

All regular officers in the department are certified by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission as General Authority Law Enforcement Officers. Certification is obtained by attending and successful completion of the Basic Law Enforcement Academy Program.

All reserve officers are also certified by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission as General Authority Reserve Law Enforcement Officers. Certification is obtained by attending and successful completion of the Reserve Basic Law Enforcement Academy Program.

In addition all officers and reserves may obtain additional certification in other law enforcement programs such as:

Radar Operation                                               Vehicle Enforcement           Criminal  Investigation                 Investigative Techniques                                              Firearms Instructor               Supervision                                                            Victim Counseling    Self  Defense                                                           Accident Investigation (Vehicle)

All officers and reserves are required to maintain competency by attending continuing education courses at specified intervals. Regular training also includes Firearms and Emergency Vehicle Operation.