Lacey Police Department Deputy Chief Hollis joins state juvenile justice council 

Lacey Police Department Deputy Chief Robert Hollis.

Courtesy of City of Lacey

Lacey Police Department Deputy Chief Robert Hollis has been appointed by Gov. Bob Ferguson to the Washington State Partnership Council on Juvenile Justice.

The 26-member advisory group recommends policies and reforms for youths involved in, or at risk of entering, the juvenile justice system. 

His term began on June 24 and runs through Nov. 2, 2028. The Lacey Police Department announced the appointment on Tuesday, June 30. 

The council, known as WA-PCJJ, works with the state Office of Juvenile Justice to implement the federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, and advocate for improvements intended to reduce racial and ethnic disparities, strengthen community safety and expand restorative justice practices statewide. 

Hollis began his law enforcement career in 2001. He advanced from officer to commander over the next 20 years before he joined the Lacey Police Department as deputy chief in 2021. He holds a master’s degree in public administration and a bachelor’s degree in sociology. 

State law calls for the council to have 26 members appointed by the governor, meeting federal membership requirements established under the Juvenile Justice Reform Act of 2018. 

Five members must be younger than 28 when appointed, and more than half must come from nongovernmental organizations. The membership also reflects geographic, racial, ethnic and gender diversity. 

Current council priorities include expanding legal services for young people, funding after-school programs and addressing the overrepresentation of Native youths in the juvenile justice system through partnerships with tribal governments.