Kent Police Department

FIX IT FOR YOUR FUTURE

This upcoming Saturday June 13th is National Blame Someone Else Day. We’ve heard many versions of blaming others in our travels, including “That’s not my dope”, and “Those are my friend’s pants, I didn’t know that was in the pocket.”

We disagree with blaming others. We do support accountability and recovery. Since we are not talking about simple mistakes like forgetting to pick up milk on your way home, we want to give you some resources and programs that provide pathways to repair the bigger mistakes you’ve made. So, in opposition to the national blame day, we are encouraging everyone with a bigger mistake lurking around to come out of hiding, admit your mistake and make a positive step towards fixing the issue.

1. Think you might have an arrest warrant in Kent?

Call or email the Kent Municipal Court and ask for tips on how to resolve it. https://www.kentwa.gov/departments/municipal-court

2. Want to pay your Kent court-related fines/on-time or overdue?

https://www.kentwa.gov/pay-and-apply/pay-my-fines

3. Are you charged with DUI or Physical Control in Kent?

The DUI Court program at the Kent Municipal Court connects offenders with substance use and mental health disorders to accountability and recovery support services. It's a specialized, therapeutic court program dedicated to changing the behavior of high-risk DUI offenders through intensive treatment and supervision. Learn more:
https://www.kentwa.gov/departments/municipal-court/dui-court

Need to talk it out with someone first before you decide to leap?

Call a friend, call 988 24/7 to speak to a crisis counselor, consult a local attorney.

The future you will thank you.

CHIEF PADILLA PROMOTES NEW SERGEANTS

This month Chief Padilla had the honor and privilege of promoting Detectives Wilson and Fritsch to the rank of Police Sergeant. Both were sworn into their new duties by City of Kent Councilmember Boyce.

In these promotion ceremonies, the Chief reinforces the character traits he looks for when picking who will lead your Officers. He reminds everyone that Sergeants perform many functions including overseeing the operational directives, ensuring that Officers are performing their duties the safest way possible, training and coaching their people, and being the first supervisor on scene during critical incidents. The job of Police Sergeant requires grit, tenacity, intelligence and a good grasp of the organization and the Kent community.

Here’s a snapshot about your new sergeants and why they meet that bar.

SERGEANT TRAVIS WILSON
Sergeant Wilson has served the Kent Community for 21 years. During that time, he has been a Patrol Officer, Property Crimes Detective, and Special Assault Detective. As a detective in the investigation unit for many years, he has handled many complex property crimes and crimes against persons.

When asked, he said that his favorite part of the job was the team environment, hearing interesting and inspiring stories from his colleagues, and helping victims while learning their circumstances.

Chief Padilla stated that when he thinks of Travis, the characteristics that come to mind are intelligent, competent, humorous, supportive, reliable and a team player.

SERGEANT WILL FRITSCH
Sergeant Fritsch has over ten years of police experience serving the Kent and Seattle communities. During his tenure in Kent, he has been a Patrol Officer, Property Crimes and Crimes against Persons Detective, a member of the Valley Independent Investigation Team, and a member of the Special Assault and Special Investigations Units. He also worked as a bicycle officer for Seattle. Prior to starting his law enforcement career, Sergeant Fritsch served our country honorably in the Marine Corps.

When asked, he shared that his favorite part of the job was working as a team to solve difficult cases. Chief Padilla stated that when he thinks of Will, the traits that come to mind are competent, thoughtful, dedicated, trustworthy and a man of integrity.

Please help us congratulate our new sergeants!

KENT PD RECORDS SUPERVISOR ANDREA SCHLUTTENHOFER RETIRES AFTER LONG CAREER SERVING THE KENT COMMUNITY

Chief presents "Chief's Award for Devoted Service".

Andrea has served the Kent community for 21 years. She was a well-loved supervisor and will be sorely missed. Here’s just a bit about why she was so great. Although we celebrate her retirement, we are sad to see her go.

Andrea hired on in June of 2005, and during her tenure, she worked in all the specialist roles and assignments before being promoted to Records Supervisor. Prior to coming to Kent PD, she was in the Air Force Reserves for 10 years. She was a radar technician on the F-4, then served as a Flight Engineer on the C-141B. Even though it was a Reserve position, she was able to fly almost full time all over the world.

Andrea brought that military spirit of teamwork, followship, leadership, selflessness, and comradery to KPD from the first day she arrived. Chief Padilla met with Andrea before she left and shared the below with the department following that meeting.

“One of Andrea's favorite responsibilities was serving as a trainer for new Records Specialists. She enjoyed the coaching, mentorship, and guidance that came with helping new employees develop and succeed. Andrea also served as a union Shop Steward for AFSCME, representing the interests of her co-workers.

Andrea built a career defined by putting others before herself. There were numerous occasions when she changed shifts to cover staffing shortages or meet the needs of the Records Unit. She routinely worked last-minute overtime to support co-workers who needed time off. Andrea served as the only Records Supervisor for approximately a year and had originally planned to retire two years ago. Instead, she chose to stay because she did not want to leave the department and her team without an experienced supervisor. These selfless acts are a testament to her character, dedication, and commitment to KPD.

When I asked Andrea what she enjoyed most about her job, she shared that she loved digging for information that could help officers with their investigations. She made it a habit to listen to the radio and proactively gather information she anticipated officers would need. Andrea took pride in finding the "needle in the haystack" and believed in providing proactive support rather than simply reacting to requests. She passed this customer-service mindset on to the people she trained and supervised.

When asked for words of wisdom, Andrea encouraged people to make time to get to know those who work outside their own unit or division. She shared that building relationships with patrol officers, jail staff, detectives, and others across the department greatly enhanced her enjoyment of the job and sense of fulfillment. In fact, she credits those relationships as one of the primary reasons she remained with KPD for 21 years. She also encouraged officers to take the time to get to know the people who work in Records and to better understand the critical role they play in our success.

Andrea is especially proud of the people she trained who have gone on to become highly competent and successful Records Specialists, including two who eventually became Records Supervisors themselves. She is also proud of being named Support Services Employee of the Year and, as she put it, "making it 21 years."

Andrea shared that what she will miss most are the people, the friendships she has built over the years, and the camaraderie that comes from being part of a team.

Andrea's impact on KPD has been significant. She leaves behind a legacy of professionalism, competence, dedication, and service within our Records Unit. Her influence will continue to be felt through the many employees she trained, mentored, and supported throughout her career.

I cannot thank Andrea enough for her commitment to the Kent Police Department, her fellow employees, and the Kent community. We are better because of her service.”-Chief Padilla

Please join us in congratulating Andrea on her well-deserved retirement and wishing her the very best in this next chapter of life.