In early 2022 the Wenatchee Police Department, Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, East Wenatchee Police Department, and Douglas County Sheriff’s Office partnered to form the East Cascade SWAT Team or ECST.  Previously, there had been two separate tactical teams that serviced the Chelan/Douglas region.  With many recent changes locally and across the State, local law enforcement leaders decided to combine resources to better serve our greater community in the Wenatchee Valley, and the ECST was formed.  This new team was built from the ground up.  Officers and Deputies from the four local agencies were required to participate in a competitive testing process for selection by the Chiefs and Sheriffs.  New team leadership was also selected, and a regional command structure was formed.  The ECST trains two days per month for a total of 18 hours, including classroom instruction, practical application of team tactics, and range training.

Prior to the formation of ECST, each local team had limited tools and staff to respond to some of the most dangerous law enforcement situations in our region.  Now, ECST has multiple armored vehicles, more and newer equipment, better training, and nearly twice the number of available members to respond and safely resolve high-risk incidents in our community.  The formation and success of the ECST is just one of many examples of how regional partnerships and working together have become hallmarks of the Wenatchee Police culture and the culture of law enforcement in the valley.