A life spent in service is a fulfilled life indeed. Tumwater Police Chief Jon Weiks retired this year after 37 years of service. We asked him a few questions to highlight his decades of service to the Thurston County community.
Why did you choose law enforcement as a career?
I grew up working in our family grocery stores and through that I had the opportunity to meet a few of the officers, as I would open the store after hours for them to buy snacks. Eventually, I went on a citizen ride-along with an officer and that was all it took.
I then started as a volunteer Reserve Police Officer with Tumwater PD in January 1987. I went through the Reserve Officer Police Academy for the first six months and then volunteered several hours a week working alongside officers. In March 1988 the department sponsored me to attend the Basic Law Enforcement Academy while I was still a reserve officer. This meant the department paid for any classroom costs and I had to cover any living expenses. I was fortunate to be able to live with a friend’s aunt and her family while I attended the academy in King County. After the academy, I returned to the police department and successfully completed the Field Training Program. I was then hired as a provisional police officer in August 1988 and then as a regular full-time officer in December 1988.
Which of your many positions—patrol officer, general detective; administrative/training officer; Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) officer; major collision investigator; background investigator; acting lieutenant; traffic officer; Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) collision investigation instructor; CJTC regional training coordinator; RADAR/LIDAR instructor; and crime prevention specialist—was your favorite?
For me, I enjoyed the various positions I had equally. I am someone who enjoys a challenge and was fortunate every three or four years to have an opportunity to experience different areas of law enforcement.
Each position required different levels of responsibility and provided me the opportunity to serve the community in different ways. For example, I enjoyed being a DARE officer because I liked being a resource for kids. On the flip side, I liked being a collision investigator because I love to solve puzzles. Each position became my “favorite” because of some aspect or another.
Which was the hardest position you had and why?
I am not someone who spends a lot of time comparing one position to another. Just like it’s hard to choose a favorite, it’s hard to single out a position as being the most difficult. Every position has its challenges and I considered them all an opportunity to grow and be better, probably especially when they were difficult.
Do you have any memorable stories you would like to share?
My most memorable times have been those when I was able to help someone overcome a challenging situation and when I could contribute to the growth of our organization. In my role of Chief, I’ve truly enjoyed ensuring our department is in a position to serve our community well beyond my time with TPD. As the Chief, I’ve had the honor and privilege to observe the growth and success of the amazing members of TPD.
Any advice for someone thinking about a career in law enforcement?
Law Enforcement is a great career for anyone who is truly willing to put the needs of others in front of their own. It is often full of complex situations, 24/7/365, and as such requires a high level of dedication. If this is you, get to know the police department you are interested in working for. Ensure their values and culture support people, both within the department and within the community.
What are your plans for retirement?
I am going to enjoy more time with my kids, their growing families, and getting out on my bicycle as much as possible. I hope to continue to be able to contribute whenever and wherever I can.
“Words [cannot] express the stability and professionalism that he brought to this role and the deep care he has shown for people here in Tumwater,” Tumwater Mayor Debbie Sullivan shared in a press release.
Thank you for your service, Police Chief Weiks!
