The Washington City Council heard the 2023 Washington Police Department annual report at their Tuesday meeting. The report, given by Washington Police Chief Jim Lester, included Officer Commendations, “Several serious investigations that gave victims closure, for all those efforts, I’m awarding investigator VanWilligen with a commendation. Sergeant Altenhofen leads our field training program, he built that from the ground up. Last one is a newly created rookie of the year, our commendation and rookie of the year award goes to Officer Brdecka.” Investigator Brian VanWilligen is awarded a Commendation for his exceptional investigative work throughout the year and for his more than ten years of service as a Drug Recognition Expert. Sergeant Benjamin Altenhofen is awarded a Commendation for his outstanding service as a Field Training Officer. He built the department’s field training program from the ground up and during 2023, led the field training of three new police officers. Officer Mia Brdecka is awarded the Washington Police Department’s inaugural Rookie of the Year Award for her demonstration of exceptional performance and contribution to the department in her first year of service as a certified officer.