Raphael Washington views his recent elevation as Sheriff of Wayne County as an answer to fervent prayer and 37 years of dedicating himself to law enforcement excellence. As head of the agency, Washington runs three jail facilities, Road Patrol, Marine Unit, Mounted Unit and also supplements law enforcement activities in collaboration with the 43 cities and townships in the jurisdiction (which covers 673 square miles). Wayne County also borders an international waterway (Detroit River adjacent to Windsor Canada) requiring coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard. He also oversees development activity of the new Wayne County Criminal Justice Center which is currently under construction in the heart of the city. As a lifelong resident of Wayne County, Sheriff Washington is very active in the community and serves on several community boards. He also applies his extensive law enforcement knowledge and experience in serving as the Director of Security for Greater Grace Temple and Pentecostal Assemblies of the World.
Sheriff Washington believes that law enforcement leaders must be discerning in their decision-making, yet compassionate when meting out decisions that affect personnel, the inmate population and the public. His background in law enforcement is wide ranging including: jails and court operation supervision, inmate population management, policy development, compliance and organizational functions designed to enhance operational efficiency. Prior to joining the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, Washington wrapped up an extensive career with the Detroit Police Department where after graduating from the academy in 1985, he served as Patrol Officer, Investigative Officer (Narcotics, Violence Crimes, Traffic Enforcement and Gang Squad), Sergeant, Lieutenant and finally Inspector of Traffic Enforcement. Over that time he collaborated with officers at every rank at the local, state and federal level.
Sheriff Washington is a proud graduate of the public school system and wholly encourages everyone to pursue higher learning and continuing education. He’s currently enrolled in a dual degree program and will earn his MBA in Strategic Leadership from Cleary University in 2022. That is the academic side of his expertise. He is also MCOLES Certified (Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards) and has served as a firearms Instructor for many years. He holds numerous local and national certifications, including:
- NRA Certified Firearms Instructor
- Shotgun, Rifle and Pistol Instructor
- Michigan Coalition On Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES)
- Member of Wayne County Chief of Police Association
- Member of Southeast Michigan Chief of Police Association
- Graduate of School of Police Staff and Command-Eastern Michigan University
- Senior Executives in State-Local Government – Harvard University, Kennedy School of Government
- Graduate (Session #248) – FBI National Academy
- Executive Protection Certification (Detroit Police Department-Special Response Team)
- Director of Security for Greater Grace Church
- Director of Security for the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World
Sheriff Washington is married to Keysha Washington, a veteran law enforcement professional. They have two children and three grandchildren.