OII Investigator Training Program
OII Investigators are trained to ensure they are credible to the community, our courts, and a jury. Our training program is designed for homicides, use of force incidents, and to understand the impact and effect of racism and bias on investigations and how to conduct their work with an antiracist and antibias lens.
Training Requirements
All OII Investigators must have a working knowledge of the requirements of a law enforcement officer. Investigators may be required to attend a Modified Basic Law Enforcement Academy (BLEA) or Basic Law Enforcement Equivalency Academy (BLEEA), provided by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center (WSCJTC), which is the same training provided to other Washington State law enforcement officers.
This ensures investigators understand Washington State laws, rules, and legal requirements for Washington Peace Officers and can observe current law enforcement officers’ education.
The training does not certify OII investigators as officers or to teach tactics.
- Investigators without prior law enforcement experience, or those with a significant break from law enforcement, must complete the OII-selected course-specific 350-400 hours of the 720 hours of BLEA training required to become a certified Washington State general authority officer.
- Investigators who have recently left law enforcement or come from other states must take an 80-hour BLEEA.
- Investigators who have recently been employed by a Washington State law enforcement agency are not required to attend.
Required training also includes but is not limited to the following courses taught by both OII and external instructors:
- Crime Scene Investigations
- Basic Homicide Investigation
- Medicolegal Death Investigations
- Cognitive Interviews
- Warrant Practice and OII Legal Authority
- Records management for OII systems
- Technical Field Services Gun Handling and Gun Safety
- Officer Processing
- Photography
- Evidence Processing
- Report Writing
- Cell Phone Handling
Additionally, investigators must attend at least 24 hours of in-service training each year to continuously build their skills.
Anti-Racism and Anti-Bias Training
OII’s commitment to anti-racism and anti-bias is foundational to our agency and required by RCW 43.102. It’s critical in conducting unbiased and transparent investigations and creating an intentional environment of belonging for everyone.
Investigators, along with the rest of the agency, are required to attend frequent anti-racism and anti-bias training, including but not limited to:
- Government-to-Government and Tribal Sovereignty
- A Path Toward Equity, Modules 1-4
- Law Enforcement Training and Community Safety Act (LETCSA): Historical Intersection of Race and Policing
- LETCSA: LGBTQ+ Core Competency
- LETCSA: Indigenous Concepts and Cultures
- Film: Who We Are
- Leading with a Racial Equity Lens
- Leading for Intercultural Competence
- Implicit and Explicit Bias
In addition to required formal training, OII investigators develop cultural competency and an understanding of how racism, inequity, bias and historical context can impact an investigation in the following ways:
- Engaging with community organizations, interested parties and impacted people to understand their perspectives and needs, along with incorporating the feedback into agency decision-making processes.
- Encouraging participation in cultural events to increase awareness and understanding. For instance, starting in January 2027, OII will require all staff to participate in at least one Tribal learning activity in a Tribal community in their region annually.
- Developing policies and procedures that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the agency's operations and activities.
To learn more about ways that OII is approaching equity, including our IMPACT statement, please visit our webpage on equity and diversity: Equity and Diversity | OII.
Contact Us
For questions about our training program please email, contactus@oii.wa.gov