Washington State Patrol Lateral Trooper

Description

The Washington State Patrol (WSP) is a nationally accredited law enforcement agency made up of dedicated professionals who work hard to improve  quality of life and prevent the unnecessary loss of life on a daily basis.
 
Mission Statement: The Washington State Patrol makes a difference every day, enhancing the safety and security of all people and communities by providing the best in public safety services.
 
Vision: To be the best public safety agency in the United States.
 
Motto: Service With Humility
 
Values: Every employee is a critical member of a team committed to earning the trust and confidence of the public through:

• Strong Leadership
• Effective Partnerships & Community Relationships
• Professional Excellence
• Integrity & Accountability
• Respecting & Protecting the Rights of All
• Fostering a Culture of Continuous Improvement
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion 

The Washington State Patrol actively supports Diversity, Equity, Inclusion in the workplace, and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The WSP strives to create and foster an inclusive culture inspiring everyone to be their authentic selves, speak openly, and be courageous.  The WSP continues to focus on equitable hiring, training, and promotional practices and policies through innovative recruitment and retention solutions.  Partnering with our communities helps the WSP provide the best in public safety services now and into the future. 

Washington State Patrol troopers have a desire to serve and make a difference in their communities every day. Troopers patrolling the highways are the most visible part of the agency and provide the best in public safety services to the people of Washington. 

Duties

Position Purpose:
Washington State Patrol Troopers uphold the Constitution of the United States, Washington State constitution, laws, and statutes for the protection of all people.
 
Scope and Nature:
Works Washington independently with minimal supervision to provide a full range of police and safety services to the residents and visitors of Washington State. Identifies and enforces criminal and traffic law violations in assigned geographical areas.  Supports criminal prosecutions through the use of statutory arrest authority, search, investigation, and court proceedings. Expedites safe flow of traffic and assists with collision response and investigations. Provides assistance to motorists, crime victims, the public, and governmental bodies. Serves on committees or assists with projects dedicated to topics such as public safety and crime prevention. Participates in specialty assignments and other duties as assigned.

Task:

• Conduct active patrol of assigned area and respond to calls for service during day and/or night shift, to ensure assigned area has patrol coverage 24 hours/day, 7 days a week.
• Observe and identify condition of vehicles to enforce compliance with laws, rules and regulations.
• Use speed-measuring device to estimate speed of vehicles, identify suspicious behaviors and deception, etc.
• Conduct proper, safe, and high-risk traffic stops or contacts, including issuing verbal warnings, tickets, or effecting arrests, take appropriate enforcement action for violations.
• Operate patrol vehicle under normal and emergency situations while handling multiple tasks (observing, listening, reading, communicating on radio, etc.).
• Perform high-risk vehicle maneuvers including pursuit immobility techniques (PIT) maneuvers, road blocks, and spike strips to stop fleeing vehicles.
• Pursue potential violators or other persons with patrol vehicle or on foot.
• Visually and physically search suspects and vehicles for weapons, paraphernalia, contraband, or evidence of crimes.
• Communicate with persons in emotional states (hysterical, intoxicated, suicidal, etc.).
• ldentify impairment and perform alcohol and drug impairment sobriety tests on subjects.
• Detain/arrest subjects with handcuffs or other restraints.
• Inform violators of violations and legal procedures.
• Use appropriate force to protect life, property, and restore order.
• Clear roadway from disabled cars, debris, damaged cars, and other traffic hazards to expedite flow of traffic and highway safety.
• Assist stranded, disabled, or injured motorists by changing tires, arranging for tow trucks, jump starting cars, etc.
• Inspect and maintain operability of issued equipment (e.g., gun, laser, flashlight, uniform, vehicle parts).
• Provide manual traffic control at events or as needed.
• Transport persons in patrol vehicle (citizens, suspects, etc.).
• Coordinate towing and storage of vehicles.
• Assume control and direct law enforcement personnel and the public at collision/incident scenes until relieved by superior officer.
• Respond to critical incidents and civil disorder to protect life, property, and restore order. May also be called to duty to support critical incident response, which may occur 24 hours, 7 days a week.
• Physically remove persons from dangerous situations.
• Survey extent of damage and/or injuries at scene and collect, preserve, and document evidence of potential crimes according to procedure.
• Investigate collisions, misdemeanors, felonies, and suspected criminal activity.
• Maintain court-related knowledge (case law, procedural law, penal code, etc.).
• Obtain and serve arrest warrants and book violators according to procedure.
• Interview persons (suspects, witnesses, etc.) and research to collect facts and information for investigations.
• Document evidence and situations for reports of investigation (write, diagram, perform basic math calculations, etc.).
• Testify in court regarding criminal arrests, collision investigations, infractions.
• Administer basic emergency first aid to victims.
• Notify next of kin and other persons when loss of life occurs.

The full position description of a Washington State Trooper can be found here (Download PDF reader).

Qualifications

The WSP has five phases to our hiring process.
 Phase 1:  Application Review
 Phase 2:  Background Investigation
 Phase 3:  Command Interview
 Phase 4:  Psychological test, Psychological Interview w/ Psychologist, Medical exam 
 Phase 5:  Polygraph 

Minimum Requirements:

• Must have successfully completed Basic Law Enforcement Academy and the required probationary period at your current/former Law Enforcement Agency.
• Possess a Washington State Driver's License and maintain such licensure during employment with WSP. If you do not currently possess a Washington State Driver's License, you must be willing to do so within 30 days of employment.
• Possess a high school diploma from a state sanctioned and recognized school, GED, or Home School Certificate. 
• Successfully pass all phases listed above.
• Be willing and able to work weekends, holidays, rotating shifts, and be on 24-hour call
• Be free from the use of narcotics or controlled substances. The Hiring Standards can be found here (Download PDF reader). 

Applicant must be of good moral character. Indications of a lack of good moral character include, but are not limited to the following:

• Conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation
• Intentional deception or fraud or attempted deception or fraud in any application, examination, or other document
• Acts or conduct that would cause a reasonable person to have substantial doubts about the individual's honesty, fairness, respect for the rights of others, or for the laws of the state and/or the nation
• Conduct that adversely reflects on the individual's character to perform the duties of a trooper
• Any applicant with a history of domestic violence shall be eliminated as an employee candidate at that point in the hiring process per RCW 10.99.

Must be able to demonstrate the following job requirements:

• Knowledge of First Aid
• Knowledge of when and when not to use force, up to and including firearms
• Communicate clearly when using radio equipment
• Operate a standard-issue patrol vehicle unaided
• Knowledge of when to use emergency lights and siren
• Ability to demonstrate the proper use of all issued equipment
• Ability to provide credible courtroom testimony

What does the training program look like:

• Lateral transfers will complete an 5-week adult based learning trooper equivalency course followed by a 4-week FTO with a senior WSP commissioned officer.
• Out of state peace officers will be required to complete a 2-week Washington state equivalency course to obtain a Washington state peace officer certification. 

The full list of job duties and requirements of a Washington State Trooper can be found here (Download PDF reader).

Supplemental Information

Hiring Incentive:
Lateral Troopers are eligible for a $20,000 hiring bonus. $8,000 upon completion of academy training, $6,000 upon successful completion of probationary period, $6,000 after completion of two (2) years of service. 

Compensation: 
Lateral Troopers will receive a monthly salary which will be determined by seniority as a fully commissioned peace officer. Seniority determinations will be consistent with Article 8 of the Washington State Patrol Troopers Association (WSPTA) Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Commissioned   Time	Monthly Base Pay  As of July 1, 2024
2 years	$7,308
2.5 - 3.5 years	$7,745
3.5 - 4.5 years	$8,210
4.5 - 5 years	$8,705
5 - 10 years	$8,967
10 - 15 years	$9,144
15 - 20 years	$9,330
20 - 25 years	$9,515
25+ years	$9,611

 Additional Compensation Incentives:

• Shift Differential Pay, Education Incentive Pay, Geographic Pay, and Specialty Pay, as well as Paid Leave Time and Benefits. Read more here. 
• Qualification for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Read more here.
• Tuition Reimbursement.
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How to Apply:
To be considered you must apply online at www.careers.wa.gov  (Click on the APPLY button above). You must complete the entire application in order to be considered.
Out of state applicants must be prepared to submit their Peace Officer Certification documents and Academy Syllabus to include the topic and hours of each course. 

Veterans’ Preference:
Applicants wishing to claim veterans’ preference MUST attach a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to their application.  Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers.  Veterans’ preference will not be applied unless the required documentation is attached to your application.
 
For additional information on veterans’ preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here.