In 1995 the civic leaders of Federal Way, an incorporated town just 15 miles from Seattle, decided to end their contract with the King County Sheriff's Department and field a municipal force. The organizers focused on three major goals: recruiting personnel, establishing policies and procedures, and acquiring equipment and facilities. Because Federal Way did not have the time for months of training for recruits, the decision was made to hire experienced police officers. With a $5,000 signing bonus or moving expenses being offered, officers from all over America began making inquiries about the new department. In October 1996, the Federal Way Police Department officially began operation. Officers hired from within Washington State were paired with officers hired from outside the State to facilitate instruction in State law. The department created a police support unit with civilian employees, and these civilian employees continue to this day in writing summons, transporting prisoners, and taking crime reports. Regarding policies and procedures, the department delayed in writing a formal manual in order to provide sufficient time to compose a manual that would deal with the specific situations characteristic of Federal Way. In the mean time, policies and procedures such as pursuit and use-of-force were handed down by commanders to their charges through bulletins and verbal commands. Regarding equipment and facilities, the department moved three times in the first year; dispatch centers were changed; and new radio systems had to be implemented. Currently, the department has 116 sworn members and 41 civilians. Fifty-six of the sworn officers have been with the department since the first day of operation. Through the dedication and persistence of its officers, the Federal Way Police Department is now one of the Nation's leading suburban agencies.