Investigation of WDFW Enforcement Administration

[Oh Mah]

I forget the exact numbers but the WDFW employs 1200 people? Half of which show up to work in Olympia....

I would be cautious of implying that only half of WDFW’s workforce shows up in Olympia for work. For one, not all their employees work in Olympia. More importantly, I believe a solid majority of their employees do work hard but are hindered by senior and mid-level management that doesn’t understand and appreciate their base constituencies. Looking at enforcement for example, I think you would find that the vast majority of officers in the field are doing their best to serve the department and hunters well, but work in an organizational structure lead by people like Mike Cenci which is where the problems are primarily.

I didn't take his statement the same way you did Bobcat,I read it as of the entire state we have around 1200 employees that work at wdfw.half of which are working somewhere in Olympia,not that they don't work.I believe he has a strong point since fishing is there and so is the money.we need these officers distributed more over the state instead of most in one area.

[Special T]

It's been said by wacenturian a former WDFW employee that there are too many in organisation/management and not enough in the field. 

Esa and other studies would appear more important than known improvements to habitat.

[ucwarden]

An outstanding letter (attached), written by ex-WDFW Officer Czebotar.  This pretty much sums it all up

[Skyvalhunter]

Appears to me that the letter pretty much is a look what I am and have done letter.

[Timberstalker]

He lays the letter out quite well. The point needs to be made that the letter is written from someone with the merit to do so.

[trophyhunt]

He lays the letter out quite well. The point needs to be made that the letter is written from someone with the merit to do so.

Exactly, I don't feel at all he was beating his chest!  I wonder if unsworth even replied?  I have Zero confidence in the director. 

[ucwarden]

He lays the letter out quite well. The point needs to be made that the letter is written from someone with the merit to do so.

Exactly, I don't feel at all he was beating his chest!  I wonder if unsworth even replied?  I have Zero confidence in the director.

I don't think Unsworth answers anyone

[HntnFsh]

Any chance somebody could just post the letter? I have a really hard time figuring out how to get these to open.
Thanks,
HntnFsh

[ctwiggs1]

To be honest guys, after the 2016 elections I came to realize that we are on the same path as California, just a few years behind them. 

Our leadership at all levels is toxic, the answer to every problem is that the public isn't giving enough money, and accountability is at zero.

UCWarden, thank you for your service to our state.  I appreciate what you did hear, but I've lost hope that toxic leadership will ever be addressed in our state.

[trophyhunt]

To be honest guys, after the 2016 elections I came to realize that we are on the same path as California, just a few years behind them. 

Our leadership at all levels is toxic, the answer to every problem is that the public isn't giving enough money, and accountability is at zero.

UCWarden, thank you for your service to our state.  I appreciate what you did hear, but I've lost hope that toxic leadership will ever be addressed in our state.

I'm sure this is how most of us feel, it's really disgusting.  And your efforts UC have been beyond what one should endure.

[Rainier10]

Any chance somebody could just post the letter? I have a really hard time figuring out how to get these to open.
Thanks,
HntnFsh

September 8, 2016

Director Unsworth,
This letter is to show my support for Sgt. Ted Jackson as Chief of Fish and Wildlife Police. 
You may not be aware of who I am, so I will give you a brief biography.  I was an officer for WDFW police from March 2005 to May 2016.  Prior to that, I was an Eagle Scout, enlisted in the Army Reserves at 17, completed my four year degree in law and Justice at Central Washington University in under three years, and am a cancer survivor.
I spent 11 years serving the Department as a fish and wildlife officer.  While an officer with the Department, I took on additional responsibilities and became a defensive tactics instructor, field training officer, and boat operator.  I have taken many additional training courses to improve my skills as a fish and wildlife officer, including the Law Enforcement Mountain Operations School, the Marine Law Enforcement Training Program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Georgia, and numerous CTJC advanced courses.
I have handled many high profile WDFW cases and wildlife attacks.  I have been on the news multiple times representing the Department.  I was also asked to and appeared in the Department’s TV show “Rugged Justice” for seasons two and three.  I spent a year as a TAC officer teaching new recruits at the police academy.
I left the department at the end of May 2016 to work for Clyde Hill Police Department as a police officer.  I left because of one thing, leadership (or rather lack of leadership).  I did not leave to make more money (I am making approximately the same now), or because I didn’t like fish and wildlife work (I loved it).  I left because I witnessed the lying from the administration, and damage it caused.  I could not trust the Chief, Deputy Chiefs, and several captains in my chain of command.
In law enforcement, now more than ever, public trust is paramount.  Unfortunately, the WDFW police program has demonstrated they cannot be trusted.  Officers and sergeants are treated differently depending on whether they carry favor with the administration or not.  There are deputy chiefs, captains, sergeants, and officers that lie to serve their own purpose.  There are unfortunately many examples of this that you are hopefully aware of, but if not please let me know and I would be more than happy to explain further.
WDFW Police has bullies in the current leadership.  The only way to get people to follow them is to force them and rule through fear.  This is not leadership, it is terrorism.  Deputy Chief Cenci cannot contain himself when meeting with the State Legislator.  When Captain Meyers was the training lieutenant, he would come down to the police academy to bully recruits while they are in training.   Meyers attempted several times to bully me while I was a TAC officer at CJTC, especially when he found out I reported his behavior to Captain Brinson.  Meyers was rewarded for his bullying behavior by a promotion to captain, where he has continued his terror tactics with the sergeants and officers in Region 4.
Currently, the Department struggles to find qualified officers to replace the ones they have lost.  The Department is spending millions in training officers, only to lose them shortly after they are hired.  WDFW is being used as a stepping stone for officers to gain experience to move on to other police agencies.  Now the department is losing experienced officers.  The Department cannot afford to continue moving in the same direction (both literally and figuratively).  You need a change in leadership.
Sgt. Jackson is one of the most honest person I have ever met.  Simply put, he is fair and just.  Sgt. Jackson has always treated me, and the officers he supervised fairly.  There have been times when I disagreed with him, or didn't fully understand a decision that he made, but I could always trust him to do the right thing and make the right judgement call.  Because of that, I followed him.
Sgt. Jackson is a honest, devoted, hard working person.  He truly cares about the Department, and fixing the problems within the Department.  He does not play favorites, and treats everyone fairly based on his or her actions.
Sgt. Jackson’s work with WACOPS, and his ability to cooperate with outside agencies and the State Legislator display his leadership skills.  These experiences have contributed to making him a great leader.  This is exactly what is needed to lead the Department forward.
WDFW Police needs a true leader with integrity in the Chief’s office in order to correct the problems and broken culture within the WDFW Police Program.  Sgt. Jackson is that leader.  He is the only one capable of correcting the problems that have been allowed to continue under the current leadership.  Sgt. Jackson had worked and continues to work hard to make the agency better and relevant.   

Sincerely,

Jason Czebotar

[Curly]

To be honest guys, after the 2016 elections I came to realize that we are on the same path as California, just a few years behind them. 

Our leadership at all levels is toxic, the answer to every problem is that the public isn't giving enough money, and accountability is at zero.

UCWarden, thank you for your service to our state.  I appreciate what you did hear, but I've lost hope that toxic leadership will ever be addressed in our state.

I'm sure this is how most of us feel, it's really disgusting.  And your efforts UC have been beyond what one should endure.

 

[huntnphool]

 If everything in that letter is factual, Czebotar just made sure Sgt. Jackson will NOT be considered for that position.

[Timberstalker]

If everything in that letter is factual, Czebotar just made sure Sgt. Jackson will NOT be considered for that position.

Why is that?

[Man Tracker]

Sgt. Jackson has since resigned/retired from DFW.  They lost yet another excellent senior leader.