CWU News

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Central Washington University’s Police and Parking Services has a new police officer on its team. Tegan Peek, 30, who graduated from the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission’s Basic Law Enforcement Academy on Wednesday, May 16, recently joined CWU’s 12-officer department. 

Peek received her bachelor’s degree in information technology administrative management and minor in law and justice from CWU in 2016.

Peek said the impact law enforcement has had on her life is what prompted her to become a police officer.

“When I was younger, I had an interaction with law enforcement that really changed the direction I was heading in life,” Peek said. “It was my first time dealing with law enforcement for something other than a traffic infraction and the officers were courteous, respectful, profession and they showed a genuine interest in what I had going on.”

“The interaction changed how I viewed law enforcement and had such a significant and positive impact on my life in general that I decided I wanted to be an officer,” she continued.

Peek attended a 17-week program at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission’s Basic Law Enforcement Academy in Burien, Washington. While there, she was voted by her peers to serve as vice president of her class, which came with added responsibility.

“There were a lot of long days, a few injuries, and at times it was really challenging and stressful, but it was a great training environment and a great experience overall; one I won’t soon forget,” Peek said.

The academy trains and tests officers from law agencies across the state not only physically, but mentally as they prepare to embark on their journey of becoming a police officer.

“Finishing reminded me that hard work and determination pays off. When you’re willing to invest yourself into what you’re working toward, you can accomplish whatever you set out to do,” Peek said.

Peek grew up in Snohomish, Washington. She attended Skagit Valley Community College where she received her ATA in parks service and protection, before transferring to Central Washington University to get her bachelor’s degree online. She and her family returned to Ellensburg a few years ago. Peek says her family has loved it the moment they came here and she is excited to be part of CWU and the Ellensburg community.

“It means a lot to me to be working here. I enjoy interacting with people and learning about others’ stories,” Peek said. “Being an officer at CWU gives me the opportunity to be the officer I set out to be, interacting with people and shaping or changing how they view law enforcement, simply by treating them with courtesy and respect, and being a professional in all that I do.”

Peek is going through a 14-week Field Training Officers program where she will be trained on how the CWU officers interact and responds to the university community.

“We are excited to have Officer Peek joining our team.  We look forward to her completing her training and having a positive impact on the community we serve,” CWU police chief Jason Berthon-Koch said.