The Team Behind
The Training

Sheriff John Nowels has served in the Spokane County Sheriff's Office for over 28 years. He was elected as Sheriff on November 8, 2022, and officially started his term on January 1, 2023.

Sheriff Nowels graduated from Eastern Washington University in 1996 with a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice. In 2019, he completed his Master's Degree in Organizational Leadership from the University of Oklahoma. In September 2016, Sheriff Nowels also graduated from the 265th session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, where he completed master's level leadership courses from the University of Virginia. Sheriff Nowels currently holds positions on the Salvation Army Advisory Board, the Northwest HIDTA Executive Board (Chair), and the FBI CJIS Western workgroup.

Sheriff Nowels started his career in law enforcement in 1998 when he joined the Sheriff's Office Patrol Division. He worked as a patrol deputy for three years before moving to the Traffic Unit in 2001. As a member of the Traffic Unit, he became a Technical Collision Investigator and was responsible for investigating serious injury and fatality collisions. In 2004, he was promoted to the rank of Detective and worked in the Property Crimes Unit in Spokane Valley. A year later, he joined the Investigative Support Unit, where he specialized in investigating narcotics cases.

In 2008, Sheriff Nowels was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and, since then, has held every promotional position in the Sheriff's Office, including Undersheriff. During this time, he has worked with and supervised personnel in every division of the Sheriff's Office, with significant time spent serving in the Investigative Division as a Lieutenant, Chief Criminal Deputy, Inspector, and Undersheriff.

Since being elected in 2022, Sheriff Nowels had served as President of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) until May 2026, and now serves as the WASPC past-president on the Executive Board.

Anthony brings three decades of leadership and adult-learning design experience to the development of practical, defensible, and performance-based training for public-safety professionals. His work focuses on curriculum and instructor development, certification, and training systems that support decision-making, communication, professional standards, and field performance.

Anthony's background spans law-enforcement leadership, adult learning science, instructional systems design, grant implementation, military service, and public-safety training operations. He served in the United States Marine Corps and has also served as a law-enforcement and corrections basic academy commander, Training Director, and consultant with the U.S. Department of Justice/International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program. His experience includes leading and supporting curriculum initiatives for DARPA, Pakistan's National Police Academy, the Government of Sakhalin Island, Russia, Uzbekistan, the Bangladesh Law Enforcement Academy, and public-safety agencies in Washington State.

Anthony contributed to the redevelopment of the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission Basic Law Enforcement Academy curriculum and helped guide the first law-enforcement agency to achieve IADLEST curriculum certification.

Steve Barbieri serves as the Deputy Director of Training for the Spokane County Sheriff's Office and brings extensive law-enforcement experience to training coordination, professional standards, accreditation support, and agency readiness. His background includes investigative, supervisory, and training-related roles with the Spokane County Sheriff's Office, including experience in property-crimes investigations, task-force operations, public-safety training coordination, and accreditation-related support organization.

Steve holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Eastern Washington University. His work reflects a practical understanding of sheriff's-office operations, investigative processes, training systems, and professional accountability, supporting the development of personnel, programs, and systems that strengthen organizational effectiveness and public-safety service delivery.

Sgt. Tucker serves as a Training Sergeant for the Spokane County Sheriff's Office and brings more than 25 years of law-enforcement experience to public-safety training, instructor development, and agency operations. His background includes patrol, Police Training Officer assignments, investigations, and training supervision. Since 2013, he has supported a training structure that includes approximately 50 instructors across 10 training areas, helping provide consistent and practical instruction for law-enforcement personnel.

Sgt. Tucker's work focuses on applying adult-learning principles, reality-based training, and field experience to law-enforcement instruction. He co-developed the Sheriff's Office pre-academy curriculum in 2018 and facilitates Interactions and Perceptions and 40-hour Tactical Social Interaction® courses. His training supports officer safety, communication, decision-making, professionalism, and readiness for public-safety service.

Sergeant Richard K. "Rick" Johnson serves as Rangemaster for the Spokane County Sheriff's Office. He brings 26 years of agency experience to firearms training, range operations, instructor development, patrol operations, specialized investigations, and tactical readiness. His career began in patrol, where he served for ten years before transitioning to the Motors Unit, where he advanced as an instructor and earned Master Motor Instructor certification.

Sgt. Johnson's instructional background spans multiple firearms platforms. He developed a 1911 transition course for the agency, instructed on submachine guns, and provided firearms expertise while supporting the agency's SWAT team. He was later promoted to detective and spent more than four years investigating human-trafficking cases. During that assignment, he was designated by the courts as an expert witness in human-trafficking investigations and continued to expand his instructional credentials by earning the Firearms Master Instructor certification.

In 2024, Sgt. Johnson was selected as Rangemaster for the agency's new training facility. In this role, he oversees range operations, manages the firearms instructor cadre, develops training programs, and supports the ongoing advancement of professional firearms standards across the department.

Sergeant Christopher Bylow is the Field Training Coordinator for the Spokane County Sheriff's Office and has over 20 years of dedicated service in law enforcement. He brings frontline experience, strong leadership, and a deep commitment to developing skilled, confident officers. Throughout his career, Sgt Bylow has earned a reputation for professionalism, clear communication, and the ability to guide others through high-pressure and rapidly evolving situations.

In the training environment, Sgt Bylow focuses on practical, real-world instruction that enhances decision-making, situational awareness, and accountability. His approach emphasizes safety, consistency, and preparedness, helping agencies equip their personnel with the tools they need to serve their communities effectively.

With two decades of service behind him, Sgt Bylow is deeply committed to shaping the next generation of law enforcement professionals through hands-on training, mentorship, and a passion for public service.

Mr. Michael Brooks serves as Program Manager for the Emergency Vehicle Operations Course and Patrol Tactics programs at the Spokane County Sheriff's Office. He brings more than 30 years of law-enforcement experience to public-safety training, advanced instruction, tactical operations, and high-liability skill development.

Michael's background includes extensive experience in EVOC instruction, patrol tactics, firearms instruction, reality-based training, and SWAT operations. As Manager of the Spokane County EVOC facility, he oversaw daily operations, curriculum development, instructor coordination, and the delivery of advanced driving programs for in-service personnel and BLEA recruits. He is certified by the WSCJTC to teach EVOC Instructor Schools and Precision Immobilization Technique schools and has instructed numerous 104-hour motor courses. He earned Master Instructor status in 2012.

Michael is also an experienced reality-based training instructor who has designed and delivered scenario-based training focused on decision-making, officer safety, communication, and tactical readiness. His operational background includes 21 years on the SWAT team, including 14 years as a Team Leader responsible for mission planning, high-risk operations, and safety oversight.

Michael is a Level II Firearms Instructor, Red Dot Sight Instructor, FRIC Instructor, VirTra Systems Instructor, and certified armorer for Glock, Mossberg, and Colt AR platforms. From 2014 to 2025, he also served as a School Resource Officer.

Mr. Jeff Mitchell serves as a Firearms Instructor at the Spokane County Sheriff's Office Training Center and brings 25 years of law-enforcement experience to firearms training, technical instruction, and public-safety skill development. His background includes service with the Spokane County Sheriff's Office in patrol, the Civil Division, investigations, tactical operations, SWAT, and firearms instruction.

Jeff began his law-enforcement career as a patrol deputy and later served in the Civil Division before transitioning into investigations. During his career, he served as a detective and worked in specialized assignments, including the TAC Team, SWAT Team, and the agency's firearms instructor cadre.

Following his retirement from law enforcement, Jeff continued serving the public-safety profession through training and instruction. He currently supports firearms instruction under the leadership of Sergeant Rick Johnson and Sergeant Martin Tucker.

Jeff holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Eastern Washington University. He is a certified firearms instructor for pistol, rifle, shotgun, and Red Dot Sight applications, and holds armorer certifications for Glock pistols, AR-platform rifles, and Mossberg shotguns.

Mr. Joe Bomgardner serves as the Personnel Coordinator for the Spokane County Sheriff's Office, overseeing pre-hire background investigations and supporting compliance with Washington State law and Criminal Justice Training Commission standards. He also manages onboarding for new Sheriff's Office employees.

Joe joined the Spokane County Sheriff's Office in 2021 as a Background Investigator after a 35-year law-enforcement career that included service as a deputy, police officer, supervisor, and Senior Special Agent. Joe holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice management and is a graduate of the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute.

In 2024, he assumed his current role amid a significant staffing shortage and worked with the Training Division and Civil Service to improve the background investigation process. Joe is dedicated to maintaining a thorough and efficient hiring process that upholds the highest standards of the Sheriff’s Office and strengthens the department’s mission.

Ms. Angie Craddock serves as a Background Investigator for the Spokane County Sheriff's Office and brings more than 15 years of law-enforcement experience to the agency's hiring and personnel-selection process. Her background includes service as a Deputy, Police Officer, Probation and Parole Officer, and member of the North Idaho Violent Crimes Task Force.

Angie joined the Spokane County Sheriff's Office in October 2023. Her work reflects a strong commitment to public safety, attention to detail, and the careful evaluation of applicants seeking to serve in law enforcement.

Angie holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and a master's degree in Leadership from Bellevue University in Bellevue, Nebraska.

Mr. Robert Jackson serves as a Background Investigator for the Spokane County Sheriff's Office and brings more than 40 years of law-enforcement leadership, emergency management, recruitment, community outreach, and criminal-justice education experience to the agency's hiring and personnel-development efforts. His background includes executive leadership of multiple police departments as Chief of Police, as well as major-division leadership within the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department.

Robert's career combines law-enforcement operations, executive administration, college-level instruction, and curriculum development. He has taught hundreds of criminal-justice students and developed training curricula grounded in practical policing experience and professional standards.

Robert holds advanced degrees from California State University, Long Beach, and executive leadership certificates from Cornell University and the Harvard Kennedy School. He also holds a full suite of California P.O.S.T. certifications.

Mr. Terry Liljenberg serves as a Background Investigator for the Spokane County Sheriff's Office and brings nearly four decades of public-safety experience to the agency's hiring and personnel-selection process. His law-enforcement career began in March 1986 as a Corrections Officer at the Spokane County Jail. In March 1988, he joined the Spokane County Sheriff's Office as a Deputy, serving until his retirement in March 2023.

Terry's background includes extensive patrol experience, field training, traffic education, school-based outreach, and community engagement. From 1990 to 1996, he served as a Field Training Officer. In 1996, he became a DARE Officer, working with schools and youth throughout Spokane County. After returning to patrol in 2003, he continued serving as a Field Training Officer, taught Traffic School, and provided DARE instruction as an extra-duty assignment.

Terry has also served on the Spokane County Sheriff's Chaplain's Board since 1996. In February 2024, he returned to the Spokane County Sheriff's Office as a Background Investigator.

Ms. Shawna Richey serves as the Regional Training and Multi-Agency Accreditation Manager for the Spokane County Sheriff's Office, where she supports regional training coordination, accreditation efforts, and interagency collaboration. Her work focuses on strengthening training systems, supporting professional standards, and helping public-safety agencies maintain consistent, organized, and effective operational practices.

Shawna joined the Spokane County Sheriff's Office in 2021 as a Public Records Specialist before moving into her current role. Before her service with the Sheriff's Office, she spent 22 years with the United Food & Commercial Workers Union, where she developed extensive experience in organizational operations, member-focused service, records management, coordination, and administrative support.

Shawna holds a bachelor's degree in social and behavioral sciences from Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon.

Ms. Darcy Forsell serves as a Sheriff's Technical Assistant III supporting the Spokane County Sheriff's Office Regional Training Center. Her work focuses on training coordination, vendor communication, purchasing, inventory management, and scheduling support for training programs delivered through the Regional Training Center.

Darcy joined the Spokane County Sheriff's Office in 2022 after a career in organizational operations, legal support, and public-service administration. Before moving to Spokane, she spent nearly 20 years with the City of Shoreline, where she developed experience in administrative coordination, member-focused service, records management, and operational support.

In her current role, Darcy works with vendors to support training opportunities, manages inventory and purchasing needs, and helps organize training schedules for Sheriff's Office personnel and regional public-safety partners.

Ms. Cari Collins serves as a Sheriff's Technical Assistant III supporting the Spokane County Sheriff's Office Regional Training Center. Since joining the team in 2025, Cari has become a steady and supportive presence, helping trainees, instructors, and staff navigate the day-to-day operations that keep the Training Center running smoothly.

Cari takes pride in being someone her colleagues can count on, whether it's navigating complex scheduling challenges, keeping documentation precise, or simply creating a welcoming, efficient environment. She values teamwork, clear communication, and making sure everyone has what they need to succeed.

With a passion for service and a focus on continuous improvement, Cari strives to make a positive impact on the community she serves.