Page 4 - Chehalis Tribal Newsletter - June, 2018

4

New additions to police department

Officer Wilson a vital resource for Officer Wollen transitions

building trust with community from corrections to patrol duty

On May 31, the Wilson said being With family of the growth of the
Chehalis Tribal Police part of a team of members, colleagues tribe,” he said.
Department welcomed 20 officers is a very and Business A reason for
Officer Susannah different experience Committee members that growth is
“Susie” Wilson as than her previous post in attendance, Officer land acquisition in
she was sworn in that at its peak had Trevor Wollen was Oakville, Rochester,
underneath the four police officers, formally introduced Grand Mound,
flagpoles outside of and being a solo and officially sworn in Tumwater and
the Tribal Center. Susannah officer at one point. as a Chehalis Tribal Trevor more. Officers with
With more than five Wilson “There are other Police officer on May Wollen the Chehalis Tribal
years of experience as people that can help,” 8 in front of the Tribal Police Department
a field officer at the Spokane Wilson said. “I don’t have to Center. are trained to understand
Police Department and the take every single call. That’s Previously, Wollen worked jurisdiction laws throughout
Tenino Police Department, been a mind-blowing concept for the tribe’s Public Safety the areas they patrol and are
Wilson comes to the force to me.” Department in the jail as a able to interact with native
fully trained. She said her dad Although it will be helpful corrections officer. During the and non-native people.
was a police officer for nearly to have backup, she knows past couple of years, he’s been Lt. Burnett explained that
40 years, and she always there are challenges to every working to transition to the when he was hired nearly a
wanted to lace up the boots job. Wilson is familiarizing police force. Wollen is looking decade ago, the department
and follow in his footsteps. herself with tribal codes and forward to his new career as had only five other members.
“I grew up knowing that the correct procedures to a patrol officer for the tribal With the additions during
I wanted to do this,” Wilson handle situations on tribal community. the past few months, more
said. territory. A common obstacle “I feel like I got in at than 20 officers now serve the
Her mom and dad both all officers encounter is a good time because (the community.
attended the swearing-in learning the backgrounds of department) is just ever- Wollen feels fortunate to
ceremony, which Wilson said individuals who live on the expanding and growing,” work with a great group of
is the first step in becoming a reservation and building a Wollen said. people.
familiar face on the Chehalis rapport with the community. Wollen received his “It has a small department
Reservation. She looks Part of Wilson’s focus is to training at the Basic Law feel where everybody knows
forward to engaging the tribe. engage our youth, building Enforcement Academy in each other’s name, but
“I’m really excited to trust with the next generation Burien. At first, the drill it’s not your typical small
interact with all the people in so they view the police instructors were hard on department,” he said.
the community,” Wilson said. department as a resource. everyone, testing their limits Wollen also feels
She also viewed the career Lt. Arick Burnett said the to see if anyone would quit. comfortable approaching his
move as an opportunity for department is thrilled to have They eventually eased up and co-workers for advice. He
professional growth and to Wilson because she brings started diving into laws and reached out to Officer Sam
learn a new skill set. Because with her a lot of expertise procedures. Heller with questions about
Tenino is only 15 miles from from her years working with Studying at the state the police academy, and has
the Chehalis Reservation and the Tenino School District. academy was stressful, but made good use of his first
TPD books misdemeanors Wilson’s goal is to help Wollen was pleased with few weeks of field training
at the tribal jail, Wilson had people understand that the the outcome because he with various members of the
several opportunities to work police are here to serve the learned the overall scope of department.
with tribal police. citizens and help them feel Washington’s laws. Wollen said it’s nice to
After working with tribal secure in their community. Chehalis Tribal Police Lt. learn from people with
officers a bit and realizing Wilson said she would Arick Burnett interacted numerous years of experience
she got along well with them, like to give a special thanks with Wollen while he was on and different styles.
Wilson decided to further her to the Chehalis Tribe for the corrections side of the He wants to give special
career in law enforcement trusting her and providing building and encouraged thanks to Lt. Burnett for
with the tribe. the opportunity for her. him to look into being a his support. He also credits
“It’s nice to find an agency police officer. Lt. Burnett Officer Chris Porter, who
that is excited to have me,” highlighted the importance heads the jail, for his role in
Wilson said. “I’m eager to ‘I’m eager to learn of having a diverse group of recruiting and training him.
learn this new side of law officers. He hired Wollen in 2015 and
enforcement.” this new side of law It’s beneficial to have made a persistent effort in
She also is pleased that enforcement.’ some officers go to the state leading his move to become a
the agency is in a stage academy and others attend field officer.
of continuous expansion, – SUSANNAH ‘SUSIE’ WILSON, the Indian Police Academy. After a few more weeks as
which allows her to work OFFICER WITH THE CHEHALIS The various backgrounds a field training officer, Wollen
with a bigger staff and more TRIBAL POLICE DEPARTMENT and number of officers on the will become a fully fledged
assistance when necessary. force is “a direct reflection officer.