Jonathan  has been with the Arlington Police Department since 2000. He attended the Law Enforcement Academy in Spokane, WA and has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Columbia College with emphasis in Criminal Justice and is currently in graduate school.

 

He is a military veteran and a former reservist stationed out of Naval Station Everett, where he was assigned to Security Police as a Law Enforcement Training Instructor. He also has worked for the US Department of Justice (DEA) where he was assigned to the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area /Airport Task Force at SeaTac Airport.

 

During his career in law enforcement he has had many assignments including Patrol Officer, School Resource Officer, Detective, Patrol Sergeant, Seattle Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Snohomish Multiple Agency Response Team (SMART) which investigates officer involved shootings.

 

Chief Ventura’s primary focus is to build upon and expand the community connections and partnerships such as the Arlington Crime Prevention League and the ‘All-In’ campaign. He has been instrumental in establishing tools for the department’s K9 Program and ProAct team to address squatting and illicit drug use. He has also worked closely with the Department’s volunteer coordinator to expand the volunteer program to include community patrols, pooch patrol and graffiti Wipeout.

 

Jonathan lives in Arlington with his wife Stacie and their children. He has a vested interest in the Arlington community and has an open door to discuss community policing issues with residents and businesses. He is looking forward to increasing the Department’s community connections beyond the Arlington Crime Prevention League and Neighborhood Watch programs.

 

Jonathan is drawn to service.  “Thank yous” are most rewarding. The forecast for policing is good but prospective law enforcement candidates need to come into it for the right reasons.  There is no need for a criminal justice degree.  Study computers, science, technology, etc.

 

Facebook and social media have impacted law enforcement profession.  Ventura learns of community issues on Facebook.

 

The four way test has helped Ventura in hiring officers.  They have to ensure the people they hire are capable.  high standards. 

 

Born in North Carolina.  Dad was a Marine, grandpa was a Marine.  Ventura went into the Navy.  Father developed a drug habit in Vietnam.  Parents divorced.  Grew up in poverty in West Virginia.  Mother remarried, step father was not a great guy.  Ventura personally dealt with homelessness.

 

Ventura’s grandfather was a good role model in his life.  Ventura wanted to be a firefighter like his grandfather.

He played football and music (drums).  Toured the west coast, Nirvana opened for his band.  Met the lead singer of Nirvana, Kurt Cobain.

 

Jonathan had a child when he was 16. He entered the Navy and hoped to be a firefighter.  Worked on the flight deck, went to firefighting and aviation firefighting school.

 

While in the service he was contacted by the State that they took his child away from the mother.  Navy allowed him to leave to take care of the child and he decided to take a discharge.   Got custody of his son.  Son has Aspergers syndrome but wants to be a firefighter.   His son was hired by DNR and fought fires this last summer. 

 

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