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Jake Church

28
Years of Public Service

Dedicated to Yakima County

Jake Church has spent nearly three decades protecting and serving the people of Yakima County—first as a teacher, then as a law enforcement officer rising through the ranks to Lieutenant with the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office.

He began his career as a teacher before joining law enforcement in 1999. He spent 16 years with Toppenish Police Department, leading patrol, investigations, and community programs before joining the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office in 2016. Today, as Lieutenant, he oversees professional standards, training, and policy.

Jake and his wife Shauna have called Yakima County home for 29 years, where they raised their two daughters. He remains deeply connected to our community and committed to keeping it safe.

Ensuring deputies have the tools & training they need.

Law enforcement professionals are the backbone of public safety. As Sheriff, Jake will prioritize ensuring our deputies have access to cutting-edge training, modern equipment, and the resources necessary to protect our community effectively and safely. Supporting those who serve means investing in their wellness, professional development, and operational readiness.

With nearly three decades in law enforcement, Jake understands firsthand what deputies need to succeed. As Lieutenant, he currently oversees training and professional standards for the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office. His FBI National Academy training focused on officer wellness and leadership—preparing him to build a department where deputies feel supported, valued, and equipped to serve.

Building trust through transparency & collaboration.

Public safety requires strong partnerships between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Jake is committed to fostering open communication, accountability, and collaboration with residents, schools, businesses, and local organizations. Building trust means listening to concerns, being transparent about operations, and working together to address community needs.

Jake spent years building community relationships as a School Resource Officer at East Valley Schools and coordinating community programs during his time with Toppenish Police Department. He’s actively involved in Rotary, Lions Club, and other local organizations. Jake believes effective law enforcement starts with knowing the people you serve—and he’s spent his career doing exactly that.

Maintaining the highest level of professionalism.

Yakima County deserves a Sheriff’s Office that operates with integrity, professionalism, and clear accountability. Jake will maintain rigorous standards through comprehensive policy development, ongoing training, and transparent operations. Every deputy will be held to the highest ethical standards, ensuring the community’s trust is earned and maintained every single day.

As Lieutenant overseeing Professional Standards and Policy for the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office, Jake has firsthand experience implementing and enforcing ethical practices. He’s completed advanced training through the FBI-LEEDA Command Institute and Command College, giving him the expertise to lead with integrity. Jake knows that accountability starts at the top—and he’s ready to lead by example.

Innovative approaches to keep Yakima County safe.

Effective public safety goes beyond responding to emergencies—it means preventing problems before they start. Jake will implement evidence-based strategies, invest in crime prevention programs, and use modern approaches to address evolving challenges like drug enforcement, property crime, and traffic safety. Keeping Yakima County safe requires staying ahead of threats, not just reacting to them.

Jake’s experience spans patrol, investigations, search and rescue coordination, and policy development—giving him a comprehensive understanding of public safety from every angle. His FBI National Academy training exposed him to cutting-edge strategies used by top law enforcement agencies nationwide. Jake brings both the experience and the innovative mindset needed to keep Yakima County safe for families and businesses.

Vote Jake Church for Sheriff

Sheriff Udell has officially endorsed Jake as the right person to continue his legacy of integrity, accountability, and service to our community. Jake is not a politician – he’s a dedicated public servant who believes that law enforcement should be built on hard work, trust, collaboration, and respect.

Connect with Jake

connect@votechurch.com

Address

PO Box 10605
Yakima, WA 98909