- Home
- Government
- Departments
- Police
- Behind the Scenes
Behind the Scenes
March 15, 2023
Unregulated and untraceable: MPD officers seize numerous 'ghost' guns after robbery
While a group was out for a walk in Marysville, a car that they didn't recognize drove up to them.
A man got out of the car and demanded property from the group, which included an adult and juveniles, at gunpoint.
It happened yesterday on 88th Street NE near 61st Drive NE. The victims handed over their belongings to the suspect, and he drove away with two other suspects. MPD officers later found the car involved at a Marysville home, with several men outside of it.
When officers approached, the suspects ran into the house. After about an hour of negotiations, all three suspects surrendered. One of them was arrested for Robbery in the first degree and Assault in the second degree.
Officers served a search warrant on the property and discovered a separate crime, leading to charges against one of the original suspects. The suspect, a convicted felon, was located and arrested for eight counts of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm in the first degree and Robbery in the first degree-complicity.
A total of nine guns were taken from the home as evidence. Five of the guns were "ghost" guns, meaning they are unregulated, unserialized and untraceable.
March 8, 2023
International Women's Day and celebrating women in law enforcement
MARYSVILLE, Wash. – Today is International Women’s Day, a day to celebrate and recognize the incredible achievements of women in all aspects, including law enforcement.
Currently, women make up only 12% of sworn officers and 3% of police leadership nationwide, according to 30x30initiative.org.
At the Marysville Police Department, we're proud to have talented and dedicated women on our team, making up 31.6% of our department staff and growing.
As of March 2023
| Male | Male% | Female | Female % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Custody/ CSO | 20 | 76.9% | 6 | 23.1% |
| Commissioned Police | 56 | 78.9% | 15 | 21.1% |
| Non-commissioned | 4 | 20% | 16 | 80% |
| Totals | 80 | 68.4% | 37 | 31.6% |
Women in law enforcement are making a difference in our communities every single day, breaking down barriers in a traditionally male-dominated field. Law enforcement is a challenging yet incredibly rewarding job that can make a real difference in people's lives.
On this International Women's Day, it is important to celebrate the incredible women in law enforcement and to encourage more women to consider a career in this field.
MPD is actively seeking new recruits and encouraging dedicated candidates to join our team. Text "Join MPD" to 425-578-5406 and speak with our recruiting team or apply directly online at marysvillewa.gov/JoinMPD.
Together, we can create a safer and more inclusive community for everyone. Let us continue to recognize and support the important work of women in law enforcement.
March 3, 2023
Marysville Police host Active Assailant Training
Warning: The following content contains photos of simulated school attacks as part of active assailant training. Please be advised that these images may be disturbing to some viewers and could trigger anxiety or distress. Viewer discretion is advised.
MARYSVILLE, Wash. - The Marysville Police Department emphasizes safety and preparedness, hosting Active Assailant Training sessions with other local agencies at Marysville Getchell High School. The training is aimed at providing emergency response to the community's most vulnerable, especially children.
“This training is critical to our commitment to our community and region to provide emergency response to some of our most vulnerable and valuable residents, our youth,” said Marysville Police Chief Erik Scairpon.
“We worked with neighboring police agencies, our Regional Fire Authority, and Emergency Management to build our capabilities for working together. By doing so, we are improving our abilities to respond to some of the most challenging situations we will encounter in our careers.”
During the training sessions, officers practiced responding to a simulated attack scenario, using tactics and techniques that are designed to neutralize the threat as quickly and safely as possible. Marysville Police worked alongside Lake Stevens and Arlington Police during this training, with support from City of Marysville Emergency Management, Marysville Fire District and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteers. The training sessions also provide an opportunity for officers to work closely with school staff, ensuring that everyone is well-equipped to respond effectively in the event of an actual emergency.
“Not only were we training to respond to an active assailant, but we were also practicing our response to crises, drilling in patrol tactics with the duty of care in mind, and working on our de-escalation tactics to meet the expectations in our community. We are committed to earning your trust by continuously improving our methods to deliver effective, empathic, and just policing services,” said Chief Scairpon.
The importance of this kind of training cannot be overstated. In today's world, the threat of an active assailant attack is unfortunately all too real. By conducting regular training sessions like this one, law enforcement agencies can better prepare themselves and their communities for these potentially life-threatening situations.
The training also highlights the importance of having a comprehensive emergency response plan in place for schools and other public facilities. By working closely with law enforcement, school officials can develop a plan that takes into account the unique challenges and risks associated with their particular facility, helping to ensure that everyone knows what to do in the event of an emergency.
Overall, the active assailant training sessions at Marysville Getchell High School serve as a reminder of the need for ongoing preparation and collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the communities we serve.
March 1, 2023
MPD now equipped with BolaWrap devices
Have you ever heard of a BolaWrap? Although this unique restraint device can be startling because of the loud bang noise it makes, it offers a safer way to apprehend suspects without getting too close.
A BolaWrap is used to subdue suspects, wrapping a Kevlar cord around the person’s arms or legs. Our department now has this potentially lifesaving de-escalation equipment available in the field.
The cord is propelled by a small pyrotechnic charge, similar to those used in airbags. Our officers can use this device as a safer alternative to traditional methods like Tasers, batons, and pepper spray.
BolaWraps are designed to be used at a range of 10-25 feet, reducing the risk of injury for both officers and suspects. The device has proven itself to be a valuable and effective tool in assisting law enforcement agencies around the globe to safely detain individuals without injury or the need to use higher levels of force.
Ride along with K-9 Copper and Officer Oates
On a gray afternoon in Marysville, Officer Derek Oates and K-9 Copper load up in the car and head for the Arlington Municipal Airport. They’re not getting ready to fly, they’re getting ready to search.
It’s almost 4 p.m. The airport hangar is a big open field, empty aside from a few parked planes nearby. It is the perfect spot to search large areas of trees and brush. A K-9 from the Monroe Police Department, Tango, and his handler are there too, along with a K-9 from the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Department, Ronin, and his handler. The Marysville K-9 Unit works with other departments in the area to learn and support each other in K-9 training.
Copper is the first up to put his skills to the test, searching for another officer hiding somewhere in the area. He quickly puts his nose to the ground and starts running, wagging his tail and sniffing his way through the vast field. The other officers follow behind him, running and jumping over bushes. In less than 10 minutes, Copper makes his way to the other side of the field and makes his way through the trees to find his target, jumping up and down with excitement. He’s rewarded with his favorite chew toy, in the shape of a stick, and plays tug-of-war with the officers as they make their way back to the pod of patrol cars on the other side.
Tango gets ready for his turn to search, but a voice over the radio puts everything on pause. The Monroe officer stops to listen, hearing that there is a search underway for a car theft suspect in the area of Kelsey Street and Elizabeth Street. “Tango, load up!” he says, and within seconds the two are on the road.
Soon after, another call comes in over the Snohomish County officer’s radio for a reported domestic violence situation. Ronin and his human partner load up and make their way out of the airport hangar.
Around 4:20 pm, Officer Oates and Copper make their way back to the Marysville Police Department to drop off another officer and start their evening patrol. Copper is laying down in his spot in the back as Officer Oates drives through the area, on alert for when their services might be needed.
There’s a reported disturbance in a Marysville neighborhood, and the pair are en route. Once they reach the address, Officer Oates gets out of the car to speak with the parties involved. Copper waits in the backseat, his gaze laser-focused out the car window, anxious to get out and work. Several minutes go by, and Copper slowly starts to relax. Officer Oates gets a handle on the situation, and it’s resolved after speaking with both parties. It’s been established that everything is okay, and Officer Oates brings the group he’s speaking with back to his patrol car to meet Copper.
The door swings open and Copper is up and ready to say hi, wagging his tail and absorbing all of the attention and pets from the group. After answering a few questions about Copper, Officer Oates grabs some special stickers of Copper from the trunk and gives them out. A few minutes later, they’re back on the road and ready for the next call.
Crayons, a coloring book and a Bible: Marysville Custody Team commended
Marysville jail staff faced major challenges while housing a troubled man for more than a week, and their efforts to show him respect and compassion did not go unnoticed.
Police Chief Erik Scairpon commended the Police Department’s Custody Team for their extraordinary work during the nine days this inmate was housed at the Marysville Jail, booked on several charges including assault, and experiencing a major mental health crisis.
In mid-August, the inmate was booked into the Marysville Jail before being transferred to the Snohomish County Jail. While in custody at the county, he threatened and attempted suicide, ripped a mattress apart, and smeared his own waste throughout his cell over the course of more than a week.
Custody staff exhausted all available options when trying to secure a more appropriate housing alternative for the inmate. When left with no other recourse, he was brought back to the Marysville Jail. Once there, staff continued their efforts to find a secure facility that offered better options than the Marysville Jail. It was only after those nine days a successful option was located and logistically worked out. While at the Marysville Jail, custody staff housed and managed the inmate without any use of force, despite the typical staffing or technical training for this level of mental health crisis.
“One officer brought him crayons and a coloring book. He was given a Bible. He was offered a shower and a plan was put in place to make that happen. He was respected and in return, he was manageable,” Chief Scairpon wrote in his letter of commendation.
“Our entire Jail staff was outstanding when dealing with him. That can be attributed to them treating him with respect, listening and talking to him.”
After nine days in the Marysville jail, the individual was evaluated and transported to Providence Hospital for mental health treatment.
“I cannot begin to explain the humanity, decency and professionalism displayed by our staff. Every officer on every shift contributed to the overall success of this challenge.”
Guardians of the community, Marysville Police serve as ‘Guardians of the Flame’ during Law Enforcement Torch Run
Running for awareness. That’s the focus driving Marysville police officers during the 2021 Law Enforcement Torch Run.
While racking up miles through the streets of downtown, their mission is to raise awareness and donations for the Special Olympics movement.
Normally MPD officers act as guardians for our community, but during this Torch Run they are guardians of the flame, carrying the “Flame of Hope” through the streets of the city. The Law Enforcement Torch Run is a nationwide movement, with more than 97,000 law enforcement members carrying the flame annually, symbolizing courage and celebration of diversity.
Marysville Police help save 3 lives in 4 days
While your police officers do important work for our community every day, last month that work included three life-saving events in four days involving a near-drowning a stabbing, and a shooting.
On July 9, Marysville officers were credited with saving a gunshot victim’s life by quickly applying a tourniquet after the man was shot through his right arm. The man was shot after he apparently overstayed his welcome at a woman’s home and refused to leave, according to the written report. An emergency room doctor at Providence Regional Medical Center Everett later confirmed that without that tourniquet, the man who was shot likely would have lost his life.
On July 11, patrol officers were called to a Marysville home where they found a man in his 60s, stabbed multiple times, bleeding heavily and losing consciousness. Again, an officer applied a tourniquet to the stabbing victim’s arm, preventing more blood loss and ultimately saving that person’s life. The suspect ran from the scene, and Lynnwood Police K-9 and Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office K-9 teamed up to search and successfully took the suspect into custody.
On July 12, Marysville Police officers teamed up with the Marysville Fire District, Everett Fire Department, and Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office to save a swimmer who nearly drowned. Fire District rescue swimmers started their search in Ebey Slough, pulling a man to safety with the help of the other agencies at the scene. The near-drowning victim, brought to shore and treated by medics, was not seriously hurt.
In each of these emergencies, the outcome could have taken a tragic turn had it not been for the quick-thinking officers, deputies, firefighters and rescue swimmers who responded and took action.