The Washington State Patrol (WSP) recently released the results of their annual audit of law enforcement agencies across Washington State. The WSP compliance audit is performed annually and reviews records for each prosecuting attorney, district and municipal court and originating law enforcement agency to ensure disposition reports resulting from arrest charges have been received and added to the criminal offender record information in accordance with Washington statutes.
According to the WSP, common situations where non-compliance occurs include warrant arrests not being forwarded to the court, multiple charges on an arrest in which only one charge is prosecuted in court and two arrest events for the same offense submitted but only one process control number is forwarded to the court.
The following table details Whatcom County agencies and shows the number of arrest charges during the calendar year 2015 and the percentage of those in compliance based on documents through February 2, 2017.
| Originating Agency Name | Charges Reported | Percent In Compliance |
| NORTHWEST REGIONAL DRUG TASK FORCE | 2 | 100.00% |
| WHATCOM COUNTY JUVENILE COURT | 81 | 98.77% |
| FERNDALE POLICE DEPARTMENT | 606 | 92.24% |
| BLAINE POLICE DEPARTMENT | 216 | 90.74% |
| BELLINGHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT | 2881 | 88.51% |
| SUMAS POLICE DEPARTMENT | 51 | 88.24% |
| LYNDEN POLICE DEPARTMENT | 235 | 86.38% |
| WHATCOM COUNTY SHERIFF | 2153 | 80.91% |
| WHATCOM COUNTY JAIL | 779 | 80.10% |
| EVERSON POLICE DEPARTMENT | 183 | 74.32% |
| CAMPUS POLICE – WESTERN WASH. UNIV. | 37 | 67.57% |
| NOOKSACK POLICE DEPARTMENT | 22 | 31.82% |
Click for more information
With a 92.24% rate of compliance, the Ferndale Police Department had the 3rd best rate of compliance in Whatcom County. Considering only agencies with 100 or more arrest charges, Ferndale was 1st in compliance in Whatcom County.
Statewide and again considering only agencies with more than 100 arrest charges, Ferndale was 60th out of 292 agencies.
Ferndale’s rates of compliance during previous audits are detailed below.
| Year of Audit | Compliance Rate |
| 2016 | 86.54% |
| 2015 | 85.59% |
| 2014 | 87.74% |
| 2013 | 89.50% |
Click for more information