Page 2 - Chehalis Tribal Newsletter - September, 2018

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PUBLIC SAFETY

New additions to police, corrections

Officer Burnett looks
forward to serving ‘It’s not a profession that
his own tribe you can ever master.’
The Chehalis Tribal Public – JAKE BURNETT
Safety Department welcomed
two new police officers to the
force on Aug. 22. took nearly a year to complete.
Officer Jake Burnett is one He looks forward to protecting
of the newest members of the a community that he’s deeply
police force to officially take the connected with.
swearing-in oath. The Chehalis For Burnett, like other
tribal member said he chose officers before him, part of
this profession because “it’s an that nearly year-long process
opportunity to serve my own of becoming an officer was
tribe.” He explained it’s like attending the Federal Law
being able to work from home. Enforcement Training Center
Burnett expressed interest in Artesia, New Mexico.
in the field since he got out After 14 weeks of training at From left: Adam Lower, Blake Teitzel and Jake Burnett become the
of high school. He started the academy, one major piece newest members of the Public Safety Department.
initial talks about joining the of knowledge really resonated
department with former Chief with him: Law enforcement is Officer Lower forges
of Police Ralph Wyman. After always evolving.
testing out how he fit in the “It’s not a profession that you a career in law ‘It was a good feeling to
construction industry, Burnett can ever master,” Burnett said. enforcement get the recognition as a
decided to fulfill his goal of As he begins his new career,
becoming an officer for the he wishes to be as beneficial Chehalis tribal member Adam certified officer.’
tribe. as possible to his department, Lower has worked for the Public
He has spent a lot of time tribe and community. He Safety Department since late – ADAM LOWER
preparing to become a certified looks forward to training and 2017.
field officer. These steps include gaining experience. Each day After months of field training have various functionalities and
learning laws and policies, on the job, he learns something and six weeks of academy, Lower that there are a lot of differences
field training, gaining a basic new and gets advice from co- was officially sworn in on Aug. within the tribal jail systems.
understanding of the proper workers. 22. Lower spent a lot of time
way officers should conduct During his free time, Growing up in Elma, Lower is becoming familiar with the
themselves daily and much Burnett most likely can be used to the woods. He describes Chehalis Tribe’s corrections
more. found either duck hunting himself as an outdoorsman and facility and building connections
Burnett said it’s a “pretty or with his family. He has a said that he always has had an with staff leading up to his
rewarding” feeling to be able to 3-year-old daughter, who he interest in fishing and hunting. swearing-in ceremony.
serve his tribe and to officially loves being with as much as After gaining experience “It was a good feeling to get
be sworn in after a process that possible. working for the tribe in the the recognition as a certified
Natural Resources Department, officer,” Lower said. “My family is
he was brought into the very excited for someone to be in
corrections facilities as an this kind of field.”
emergency hire. Lower said it feels good that
He saw this as an opportunity his family is proud of his chosen
and a good place to start a career career path, and he appreciates
in law enforcement. Lower the opportunity to make a living
completed the mandatory field working for his tribe.
training program required for He spoke highly of fellow
corrections officers and waited members and mentors in the
for an opening at the academy. Public Safety Department.
He attended the Federal Law “Everyone has been
Enforcement Training Center accommodating,” Lower said.
in Artesia, New Mexico. The “Since I started, everyone has
main thing he learned from the been very approachable.”
experience is the importance From day one, they have
of knowing policies and always made sure he was
Officer Jake Burnett officially becomes a tribal officer with a procedures. comfortable and had everything
swearing-in ceremony in front of the Tribal Center. He understands departments he needed to do the job.