On November 30, 2025, Chief U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Officer Matthew L. Thompson will retire after 20 years of service to the United States Courts. First appointed as a U.S. Probation Officer with the District in November 2005, Chief Thompson began his federal career in pretrial services and pre-sentence investigations, playing a key role in the formation of the District’s Sobriety Treatment and Education Program (STEP) program, a federal drug court in partnership with the U.S. District Court, Federal Defender’s Office, U.S. Attorney’s Office, and U.S. Probation.

Promoting to Supervisory Officer in February 2012, Chief Thompson led the Pretrial Services Investigations Unit and served as Coordinator for STEP, as well as District Coordinator and National Trainer of the Evidence Based Practices, Staff Training Aimed at Reducing Re-arrest (STARR) program. Sworn in as the Chief U.S. Probation Officer in September 2015, he has served with distinction for the past 10 years.

Chief Thompson’s tenure is marked by innovation, commitment to mission, and steady leadership through numerous local and national challenges.  Weathering substantial changes, the Office successfully met each one, moving forward by supporting and relying upon one another as team.

Taking the lessons from his martial arts background, Chief Thompson’s measured assessment, flow with change, and willingness to meet each moment and person with present-minded intention ensure the provision of services outlined in U.S. Probations’ Charter of Excellence: fair administration of justice, continuity of service, commitment to making our communities safer and to making a positive difference in the lives of those we serve through reliance on interdependence, collaboration, and local innovation.

A Spokane native, Chief Thompson grew up in the Hillyard Neighborhood, graduating from Rogers High School. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Corrections from Eastern Washington University. Prior to joining the Courts, Chief Thompson was a Lead Community Corrections Officer for the Washington State Department of Corrections, Drug/Gang Unit and Probation Officer for Spokane County District Court Probation.

A true Servant Leader, Chief Thompson’s legacy is one of deep compassion, integrity, and wholehearted commitment to the mission of the probation office in promoting fair and impartial justice and working to facilitate positive changes within the lives of the people we serve. Each probationer served, each employee supervised, each court member interacted with are all better for his service. He truly exemplifies the office’s core values of professional excellence; financial stewardship; impartiality and fairness; integrity and ethical conduct; consistency and accountability; commitment; and teamwork.

Thank you for your twenty years of service with the Judiciary and cumulative thirty years in probation and community corrections!