ACO Academy
March 8-19, 2027

Lake Stevens Police Department

1825 S Lake Stevens Rd, Lake Stevens, WA 98258

Classes are held Monday-Friday 0800 – 1700 hours with a few adjustments on certain days.

We are paperless!

Please bring a laptop from your agency to use a flashdrive/USB provided with all class materials.

Washington Animal Control Association (WACA) offers this comprehensive 80-hour Animal Control Officer Academy. This intensive course will be held in Lake Stevens, Washington and is specifically designed for Animal Control Officers from Washington State. Out of state ACOs and non-ACO staff will be considered to attend pending class size, with priority given to Washington State limited commissioned ACOs. Instructors consist of WACA personnel and field experts who will cover a variety of topics to satisfy Washington state’s Animal Control Officer requirements.

Dress Code:

Your agency issued uniform or training BDU’s and a WACA provided T-shirt may be worn daily to class. For the gym portion you may wear appropriate gym clothing and tennis shoes. Graduation will be held Friday March 19th. Family, friends, co-workers, and command staff are encouraged to attend. Please wear your class A’s or agency issued uniform.

Topics Covered in the 80-Hour Course:

Ethics £ Professionalism
Basic Nutrition
Breed Identification
Dog & Cat Body Language/Behavior
Dangerous Dogs
Capture & Restraint
Wildlife
Snakes 101
Equine & Livestock
Pocket Pets £ Exotics
State & Local Animal Law
Zoonotic Diseases & PPE
Animal Hoarding
Animal Fighting
Animal Sex Crimes
Animal Cruelty Investigations
Lesion Identification
Body Condition Scoring & Vet Testimony
Court Room Procedure
Crisis Intervention & Deescalation
Officer Safety & Protection
Search & Seizure
Evidence Collection
Search Warrants & Affidavits
Reporting Writing
Interview Techniques
Crimescene Photography
The ADA & Services Animals
Compassion Fatigue

We are paperless!

Please bring a laptop from your agency to use a flashdrive/USB provided with all class materials!