The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) has recognized Washington Senator Mark Mullet (D-Issaquah) with its highest honor award. The Gene Cotton Award is exclusively reserved for public officials whose public service careers have been dedicated to the creation of outstanding public safety policy in Washington State and whose achievements and dedication are commonly recognized throughout Washington State’s criminal justice community.  Senator Mullet accepted the award at WASPC’s spring conference in Spokane in late May.

“Senator Mullet showed tremendous leadership during the Washington legislative session,” said Steven Strachan, WASPC executive director.  “He worked tirelessly to improve laws that help balance the need for public safety and ensure law enforcement is accountable to the community.”

The award (named for a former Clark County Sheriff and WASPC executive director) is given very infrequently and reserved only for extraordinary public officials who demonstrate their leadership to support law enforcement public policies.

WASPC was founded in 1963 and consists of executive and top management personnel from law enforcement agencies statewide. With more than 900 members it includes the 39 elected county sheriffs, and 240 police chiefs, as well as the Washington State Patrol, the Washington Department of Corrections, and representatives of Tribal and federal agencies.

WASPC is the only association of its kind in the nation combining representatives from local, state, tribal, and federal law enforcement into a single body, working toward a common goal. WASPC’s function is to provide specific materials and services to all law enforcement agencies in the state, members, and non-members alike.

Photo Caption: Pictured Steve Strachan, WASPC Exec. Dir., Sen. Mullet, WASPC Board Pres. Sheriff Rick Scott (Grays Harbor County). Photo Credit: Hamilton Studio