We are living in an unprecedented time, a time of uncertainty and stress for all people, but especially for our law enforcement officers. Acknowledging this reality, it is incredible news for Behind the Badge Foundation to announce the passage of two pieces of legislation specific to officer wellness which were enacted into law today by Governor Inslee today. This collaborative work accomplished in the 2020 Legislative Session is vitally important to law enforcement officers across the state of Washington. SB 6570 and HB 2926 will provide for the further development of programming directly supporting law enforcement officer mental health and wellness, as well as critical incident stress management.
This important work could not have been accomplished with the support and partnership of the following people and organizations. Please help us in thanking the following:
The Honorable Jay Inslee, Governor
SB 6570 – Sponsors
Concerning law enforcement officer mental health and wellness.
Prime Sponsor: Sen. Curtis King
Sen. Rebecca Saldaña
Sen. Keith Wagoner
Sen. Liz Lovelett
Sen. Claire Wilson
HB 2926 – Sponsors
Expanding access to critical incident stress management programs.
Prime Sponsor: Rep. Jacquelin Maycumber
Rep. Brian Blake
Rep. Joel Kretz
Rep. Drew MacEwen
Rep. Luanne Van Werven
Rep. Gina Mosbrucker
Rep. Jenny Graham
Rep. Larry Hoff
Rep. Dan Griffey
Rep. Drew Stokesbary
Rep. Kelly Chambers
Rep. Alex Ybarra
Rep. Tom Dent
Rep. Andrew Barkis
Rep. Keith Goehner
Rep. Bruce Chandler
Rep. Joel Kraft
Rep. Roger Goodman
Rep. John Lovick
Rep. Lillian Ortiz-Self
Rep. Tana Senn
Rep. Chris Gildon
Rep. Mike Sells
Rep. Matt Boehnke
Rep. Lauren Davis
Rep. Norma Smith
Rep. Mary Dye
Rep. Tina Orwall
Rep. Carolyn Eslick
Rep. Sharon Shewmake
Rep. Gerry Pollet
Rep. Marcus Riccelli
Rep. Paul Harris
Jennifer Ziegler
Washington Council of Police & Sheriffs (WACOPS): Teresa Taylor and Jeff DeVere
Council of Metropolitan Police & Sheriffs (COMPAS) : Renee Maher
Pat Dunn
Susan Dunn
Washington State Patrol Troopers Association (WSPTA)
Washington State Patrol Captains and Lieutenants Association (WSPLCA)
To our friends.
We have all been affected by the current issues surrounding the COVID-19 virus and the measures that have been taken to reduce its spread. We want to let you know a few things. First, none of the services that we offer to our law enforcement community have been disrupted by COVID-19. We have taken appropriate precautions and will continue to fulfill our duties to the best of our ability into the foreseeable future. However, due to the ongoing public health crisis and the moratorium established by the State of Washington and the King County Health District as well as the recommendations published by the CDC, Behind the Badge Foundation has no other alternative than to cancel and/or re-schedule all events and trainings through April.
This includes:
- GR/IN Critical Incident Stress Management, March 16-18, Bellingham Rescheduled Fall
- Northwest Region Honor Guard Training, March 23-26, Yakima Reschedule October
- 22nd Annual Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial Ball and Auction, April 4, SeaTac – Possible Reschedule, May 9
- Fun with the Fuzz 5K, April 18, Bellingham – Canceled
We are working on rescheduling both of these trainings. Please look forward to them in the early fall.
22nd Annual Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial Ball and Auction
We have always seen the WSLEM Ball and Auction as an event not only to Fundraise but to also “Friend-raise”. For 22 years our supporters and friends from all over the region have come together to honor those that have gone before us and to be with each other in fellowship and celebrate the life and achievements of law enforcement officers and their families. This year we believed this celebration was especially necessary; emergency service workers are always on the front line in advance of the rest of the community when faced with the unknown or impending peril. We had hoped that we would be able to provide respite from the current crisis. When April cancellation became apparent, our committee worked very hard to come up with an alternate date. As of today, there is a possibility we will be capable of rescheduling for May 9th at our host hotel the Seattle Airport Hilton. This is dependent on several factors including the availability of certain vendors as well as updated health advisories. Starting next week, we will be reaching out to every registered attendee and sponsor to process refunds and returns should you not be able to attend.
Fun with the Fuzz 5K
Due to the enormous undertaking, Fun with the Fuzz 5k in Bellingham will not be rescheduled at this time. This event, like the WSLEM Ball and Auction, has a substantial following and we understand the disappointment of all our attendees on the cancellation of this substantial fun run. Information on refunds will be forthcoming.
I would like to take a moment and recognize the efforts and all the hard work done by our volunteers for both 22nd Annual Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial Ball and Auction and Fun with the Fuzz 5K. Both committees have worked tirelessly over the last 7 months to produce quality fun events with a purpose. To say this is a labor of love would be an understatement. Our existence and many of the broad range of services we are able to provide are available because of good hearted volunteer committee members.
We are keeping a close eye on the ongoing statistical information and the messaging coming from our governing officials and our health officials. In the next several days we will be examining that information along with our May calendar which also includes a Peace Officers Memorial/Medal of Honor on May 8th in Olympia as well as National Police Week in Washington DC.
In closing, we would like to thank all our emergency responders and our support entities within those agencies. Law enforcement officers, correctional officers, life safety firefighters, paramedics, physicians, nurses, dispatchers, support and administrative staff and so many others; we know that you don’t have the option to stay home. We know that you are working hard and that you continue to put yourselves at risk day in and day out. Know that we are forever in your debt.
In the coming days we will attempt to keep you informed and up to date as to our current status.
Respectfully,
Brian Johnston
Executive Director
DATE
CHANGED TO MAY 9
We understand
that in an unprecedented time of rapid change and so many unknowns, we thought
it helpful to share with you some of the questions we have either posed ourselves
or been asked over the last few weeks about this event.
State
restrictions on events/groups have been extended through April 8th.
Date Change May 9th
We worked
diligently with our host hotel and other vendors to move the date of the 22nd
Annual Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial Ball and Auction to May 9th.
The previously listed event schedule will remain in place for the weekend of
May 9th.
What happens to my ticket?
To ensure the
most thorough accounting and customer service, the Ball and Auction Committee
will be reaching out to ticket holders initially through email. You may also
receive individual contact by telephone. New tickets will be reissued. If you
are not able to join us on the new date, we will be process refunds in the
coming weeks. Expect to hear from someone during the week few weeks.
You will
need to contact the Seattle Airport Hilton in reference to your accommodations.
We have been
able to create a block of rooms for the new date. Please contact the Seattle
Airport Hilton Hotel directly to update your reservations. We do not have the
ability to cancel, change or modify any individuals or groups reservations. You
may reach the hotel at 206 244-4800 with the new reservation code LAWX20. Or you
may book a new reservation online https://book.passkey.com/go/badge.
I see other
organizations running online auctions and/or other solutions. Why not adapt the
event?
The committee
felt very strongly about preserving this event exactly as it is. They have
found the perfect balance of fundraising while honoring the officers we have
lost and did not want either half to get muddled in a new event.
What is the
financial impact on Behind the Badge Foundation?
Like you we
are concerned about our organizational financial future. We rely on events like
the Ball and Auction to help fund vital programs and initiatives across the
entire Foundation. We also rely on these events to connect with the people that
we serve and the people that who continually support us. While this this
pandemic will significantly change manner in which we work in the short term,
our pledge is that we will continue to support our Law Enforcement officers,
families and agencies, especially in their time of need, to the fullest extent.
If you do not
see the answer to your question, please refer your questions to event director
Kevin Haistings khaistings@nullhotmail.com and Tracy! at tracy@nullbehindthebadgefoundation.org for more answers.
