Ex-Arlington officer who was fired to keep his police status

ARLINGTON – Former Arlington police officer Jason Rhodes has received some vindication.

ARLINGTON – Former Arlington police officer Jason Rhodes has received some vindication.

The Criminal Justice Training Commission in Burien has decided not to revoke Rhodes’ Washington state peace officers certification.

The letter from the commission states, in part: there must be evidence that the circumstances leading to Rhodes’ termination were due to disqualifying conduct under state law.

“After reviewing the information provided, I have found there is insufficient evidence to meet this burden of proof,” the letter from Tisha Jones, peace officer certification manager, says.

The letter, sent to Arlington Police Chief Jonathan Ventura, allowed for appeal. None was expected by the Oct. 5 deadline.

Ventura last spring told the commission that Rhodes was fired, and the reason may constitute “disqualifying conduct” to be a peace officer.

Rhodes, who wants to continue a career in law enforcement, was fired this year over an incident six years ago. Ventura accused Rhodes of getting rid of evidence in a case involving a minor accident in his patrol car. Rhodes said he didn’t believe it was evidence in that case, because the photos were not of damage he had caused to the vehicle. He replaced the photos of ones showing the damaged he caused.

“They wrongfully terminated me,” Rhodes said, adding he is suing the city.