Investigation of WDFW Enforcement Administration

[ctwiggs1]

Ctwiggs, if you haven't sent that letter yet, you might edit the part where you call Cenci "Deputy Director". He is Deputy Chief or DC Cenci.

oops 

[Skillet]

It's all good.  I don't think he'll disregard your letter based on that little error.  At this point, I am pretty sure he knows which Cenci you're talking about... 

And good on ya for taking the initiative and doing something proactive, ctwiggs

[ctwiggs1]

I'm sure I'll be seeing NOT SELECTED for awhile 

[Curly]

It's all good.  I don't think he'll disregard your letter based on that little error.  At this point, I am pretty sure he knows which Cenci you're talking about... 

And good on ya for taking the initiative and doing something proactive, ctwiggs

 

[Skillet]

I'm sure I'll be seeing NOT SELECTED for awhile 

I doubt that WDFW Enforcement has enough latitude while under this level of scrutiny to screw with the draw results.   

No matter what happens now, you can stand tall and tell your kids that you had the courage to speak truth to power. 

[ucwarden]

Director Unsworth,

First off, I want to congratulate you on your new position as Director of WDFW.  I also want to thank you for taking the position as outdoorsmen and women have waited for some time for a change to take place.

Right now you have a report in front of you from the WSP regarding your enforcement division that is partially already public.  The report details the level of abuse of power that is occurring regularly within the WDFW enforcement upper ranks.  As a lifelong Washington resident and sportsman, I find that this misuse of power is reprehensible at the very least, and puts a negative mark on the WDFW that is not easily removed. 

As a military combat veteran, I can tell you that many of the actions that have now been made public would have resulted in a member of the military being given a bad conduct discharge, but have resulted in promotions for Deputy Director Cenci in particular, but others as well.

There are a few key points that bother me that I think may bother you as well:
1) Why are our game wardens working in a hostile work environment?  These officers are local legends where they live and for good reason - they are required to do a much more dangerous job while retaining and understand more legal issues than most law enforcement.  These officers should not return from this environment to a boss that threatens to "put his boot up their asses" over trivial issues.
2) Why are we allowing officers, especially senior officers to break the law and not receive any form of punishment?  Again, in my military days just a few short years ago, even a lowly speeding ticket resulted in a written counseling session.  While this may seem excessive, the fact of the matter is that law enforcement and military should be held to a higher standard.  How can you possibly enforce a law with any integrity if you're constantly breaking that law yourself?
3) What is most troublesome to read about is putting officers lives in danger.  I can personally dodge a hostile work environment, possibly let go of traffic violations, but this is one non-negotiable issue that needs to be addressed immediately.  Allowing the media to be involved in the search warrant operations that took place for Operation Cody, after multiple agreements and briefings clearly stated "NO MEDIA" is unacceptable and seems to be borderline criminal in itself. 

Director Unsworth, I have full faith that you will take this report seriously and use it (and other information you're likely privy to) to clean up the enforcement division of WDFW.  I and other sportsman are tired of poachers getting away regularly while recreational fishermen are cited constantly for trivial issues (even though most game wardens admit that the fishing regulations are very confusing).  We're tired of hearing about good game wardens being disciplined for non-issues, and we're tired of hearing about the complete lack of integrity in the upper ranks of WDFW.  Our WDFW officers have been converted from Game Wardens to revenue producers, which is unfortunate at best.

You, as a new Director, have the power to change this.  Please do, and soon.

ctwiggs1:   Absolutely awesome letter!   I am sure I speak for many WDFW officers when I say thank you.  We need a couple of hundred more letters such as yours, but every single letter or email helps our cause.  Your letter was so well stated that I actually got a little chocked up reading it.  This has been a long battle, and I am still waiting to see some progress (other than the fact that we did get a WSP investigation, even if was only the old allegations).  If all of this information and support doesn't do the trick, then I guess there really is nothing that can be done.

Thanks again! 

[ucwarden]

Here is my random thought.  95% of you guys, on this forum, have been very supportive and helpful.  When I joined the forum (my first ever forum) I didn't know what to expect, but it sure wasn't this level of support.  If we are successful in forcing change in WDFW, a great deal of the credit has to go to you guys...especially those who have contacted your legislators, the governor, and/or the WDFW director.

A big thanks to all of you!

[ctwiggs1]

If change doesn't happen in 2015 then we as sportsmen/women need to come up with a new plan for 2016.  The most important thing is making sure we do not give up or become divided on the issue.

[ucwarden]

If change doesn't happen in 2015 then we as sportsmen/women need to come up with a new plan for 2016.  The most important thing is making sure we do not give up or become divided on the issue.

I don't know.  We have been in this battle for well over five years, and Unsworth has now been the WDFW director for 10 1/2 months.  I am afraid there never will be any real change.

[ctwiggs1]

How often does WSP investigate a Deputy Chief of any agency?

Curtis

[2labs]

Here is my random thought.  95% of you guys, on this forum, have been very supportive and helpful.  When I joined the forum (my first ever forum) I didn't know what to expect, but it sure wasn't this level of support.  If we are successful in forcing change in WDFW, a great deal of the credit has to go to you guys...especially those who have contacted your legislators, the governor, and/or the WDFW director.

A big thanks to all of you!

I think a lot of us could smell what was cooking with the W.D.F.W but reading your book and bringing all this up is what is AWSOME.
Thanks.

[ucwarden]

How often does WSP investigate a Deputy Chief of any agency?

Curtis

True.  That is the one thing that still gives me hope.

[ucwarden]

Here is my random thought.  95% of you guys, on this forum, have been very supportive and helpful.  When I joined the forum (my first ever forum) I didn't know what to expect, but it sure wasn't this level of support.  If we are successful in forcing change in WDFW, a great deal of the credit has to go to you guys...especially those who have contacted your legislators, the governor, and/or the WDFW director.

A big thanks to all of you!

I think a lot of us could smell what was cooking with the W.D.F.W but reading your book and bringing all this up is what is AWSOME.
Thanks.

You are very welcome.

[Curly]

I was really disappointed in Phil Anderson.  I figured he was going to do something on his way out.....then not a word.  Very discouraging.  I guess he figured he'd leave the dirty work for Unsworth. 

[ucwarden]

I was really disappointed in Phil Anderson.  I figured he was going to do something on his way out.....then not a word.  Very discouraging.  I guess he figured he'd leave the dirty work for Unsworth. 

Director Anderson's son was given a WDFW officer position by Cenci and Bjork.  I never expected anything out of Anderson and he lived up to my expectations.