To the Citizens and Visitors of Washington,

The City of Washington has a rich history of its citizens displaying a servant-minded philosophy. With that in mind, I expect the same from members of the Washington Police Department. All staff of the Washington Police Department strive to maintain an exemplary level of professionalism and service.

To quote the father of modern policing, Sir Robert Peel, “The Police are the Public; the Public are the Police. The Police are paid to give full time attention to duties that are incumbent upon every citizen in the interest of community welfare and existence.” Even though Peel made this statement almost 200 years ago, the core idea still rings true. Police can only be successful in maintaining a safe community with the support and assistance of its citizens and businesses. The Washington Police Department is blessed with a community that supports its officers. I assure you this does not go unnoticed.

The mission of the Washington Police Department is to create a safe environment where individuals, families, and businesses can thrive. Officers are tasked to protect the rights of all people and to treat all persons fairly and equally.

My focus as Chief is to ensure officers have all the tools necessary to achieve the mission. This will be accomplished by staying abreast of the latest training, legislation, and technology as it relates to law enforcement.

It is our duty to “Serve and Protect” those that reside in, work in, and visit our great city.

Sincerely,

Chief James Armstrong