MOSES LAKE — Thirty-seven students walked out of the Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center Tuesday, completing their first step for a career in law enforcement. 

“During the year, these students have learned a lot about criminal justice,” said Dave Ruffin, retired Moses Lake Police chief and Criminal Justice Program instructor at CBTECH. “Some of the topic areas have been the United States and Washington state constitutions, terrorism, the court system, search and seizure, handcuffing and arrest tactics, patrol procedures, dispatch, corrections, criminal and traffic law and criminal investigations. This class was also able to receive training on the firearm simulator.” 

The graduation was attended, not only by students and their families, but also law enforcement officers from several city police departments, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, the Washington State Patrol and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, as well as MACC Dispatch, the Grant County Prosecutor’s Office and the U.S. Marine Corps. An interpreter rendered the speakers’ words into Spanish for the families who were more comfortable in that language. 

Each student had to put in 450 hours of study in the criminal justice field, Ruffin said, and some of them had earned credits through Big Bend Community College as well. CBTCH students spend part of their school day at the center and the rest at their own high school.  

The graduating class included students from Othello, Mattawa, Moses Lake, Warden, Ephrata and Royal City, Ruffin said. 

“These students could have chosen an easier path,” said MLPD Capt. Mike Williams. “They could have slipped through another year of traditional high school, showing up when they felt like it and putting in just enough effort to get by. But instead, they chose the hard road.  

“They knew they’d need to come to class every day on time with a positive attitude. They knew they were signing up for mandatory physical fitness, combatives, firearms simulators and a tough course where they touched on many different parts of the law enforcement experience.” 

“There's something special about this class, whether you want to go into the criminal justice field or not,” said student speaker Gerson Perez. “Our instructor, Mr. Ruffin, is the reason for that. Even if he's not a real teacher, I can confidently tell you he's one of the best mentors I've ever had. He didn't just teach us criminal justice. He taught us discipline, leadership, respect, how to succeed and to never settle for the bare minimum. Mr. Ruffin will go out of his way to show you that you are capable of more than you think, and he pushes every single one of us to become better people, both inside and outside of this classroom.” 

Before the students received their certificates, there was a ceremony in memory of law enforcement officers who had given their lives in the line of duty. Each time Emmanuel Zepeda rang a bell, a student would stand and read the name of a fallen officer. 

The law enforcement calling is an honorable one, Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete told the students. 

“Today, we celebrate more than just completing a program,” Kriete said. “We celebrate a commitment, resilience and a purpose. Each of us chose a path in criminal justice because we believe in something bigger than ourselves. We believe in fairness, accountability, and service to our communities. The journey hasn’t been easy. We’ve been challenged to think critically and lead with integrity. And through it all, you’ve grown, not just as students, but as future professionals, ready to make a difference.  

“As you move forward, remember that the badge, the role or the title that you pursue is not what defines you. The choices we make, especially when no one is watching, will shape the impact we have. Graduates, be proud of who you become and stay grounded in your values. Then you can rest easy.” 

    Student speaker Gerson Perez talks about the things he learned in the CBTECH Criminal Justice program at Tuesday’s graduation ceremony.
  

    A graduating CBTECH student shakes hands with Royal City Police Chief Rey Rodriguez at the Criminal Justice program graduation Tuesday.
  

    Graduating CBTECH student Emmanuel Zepeda rings a bell in honor of fallen law enforcement officers at the Criminal Justice program graduation Tuesday.