Two University Police officers sworn in

Two new officers – Ben Vandermay and Monte Wallace – were sworn in on Wednesday at WWU University Police.

University Police Chief Darin Rasmussen welcomed the new officers, as well as their friends and family members in attendance for the swearing-in ceremony.

Rich Van Den Hul, vice president for WWU Business and Financial Affairs, the division of which University Police is a part, swore in both officers.

“It is a special day when we welcome new officers to Western,” Van Den Hul said, and he praised University Police’s strong partnerships across Western, including with the Division of Enrollment and Student Services.

Van Den Hul noted that being a police officer on a university campus is different than other areas of law enforcement. “It’s all about how we help our students to be successful,” he said.

Vandermay, a lifelong resident of Whatcom County, previously served as a corrections officer with the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office. He graduated from Bellingham High School and attended Whatcom Community College in pursuit of an Administration of Justice degree. He will be attending the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission this summer to earn his certification as a patrol officer.

Monte Wallace was hired on April 3 to work as a patrol officer for University Police. Wallace has served for 12 years in the military, including serving with the U.S. Army from 2001-2006 and six years in the National Guard. During his time in the military, he was deployed twice to Iraq. His first deployment was in 2004-2005 then again in 2008-2009. Prior work experience includes as a state Department of Licensing certified testing proctor; as a King County deputy and as a Swinomish Tribal Police officer.

The two new officers were hired to fill vacancies created when two officers left University Police for opportunities with larger law enforcement agencies – the Whatcom Sheriff’s Office and Bellingham Police.

Rich Van Den Hul, vice president for WWU Business and Financial Affairs, swears in new University Police officer Monte Wallace.