Law Enforcement Officer Position

Washington State Patrol - Trooper

 

PROFILE DISCLAIMER

The information herein is provided by the respective agency and is only as accurate and as up-to-date as the agency representative(s) update this information. PST is not responsible for the veracity of this data as it is provided directly from the agency. It is ultimately the applicant's responsibility to verify any information about the agency with the agency.

Washington State Patrol - Trooper

Last updated on March 01, 2024
PST Partner Agency since July 16, 2015

Vacancies: 155

Important Information

ATTENTION!!! $10,000 ENTRY LEVEL HIRING BONUS AND $20,000 LATERAL HIRING BONUS!

TO AVOID A DELAY IN THE HIRING PROCESS WITH OUR AGENCY, PLEASE COMPLETE YOUR PHS WITHIN 14 DAYS AFTER COMPLETING YOUR WRITTEN EXAM.

 ALSO COMPLETE YOUR APPLICATION FOR THE TROOPER CADET POSITION AT CAREERS.WA.GOV.

Community Information

  • June 8, 1921-Washington State Legislature authorized the appointment of a highway police with the power of peace officers.
  • September 1,1921- The first Washington State Highway Patrol Officers were sworn in. The officers first vehicles were Indian Motorcycles.
  • 1925- Chief William Cole was appointed the first Chief of the Washington State Highway Patrol. Prior to Chief Cole’s appointment by Governor Roland H. Hartley, Ms. Helen Shaw assumed the duties of Chief for a few weeks.
  • August 17, 1933- Washington State Legislature acknowledged the need for a police organization that was mobile and could be concentrated immediately at any place in the state where the public safety was endangered. The Highway Patrol Division officially became known as the Washington State Patrol, which had been given full police powers.The first radio was installed on a motorcycle in the Vancouver area by Patrolman Harry Williams, which ran on a City of Portland Police frequency.
  • 1967- Leon Lasley was the first African American hired and graduated from the State Patrol Academy.
  • 1975- Trooper Cathy Swanson was the first female trooper hired by the State Patrol.
  • 1976-Trooper Elmer Law was the first African American trooper to promoted to the position of sergeant.
  • 1987 Trooper Colleen McIntyre was the first female promoted to sergeant.
  • In 1988, the Washington State Patrol became just the third state law enforcement agency to receive accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).

  • In order to receive accreditation from CALEA, police agencies must comply with more than 484 standards that detail every major aspect of law enforcement, including: Traffic operations, crime analysis, performance evaluation, recruitment, evidence collection, strategic planning, public information, communications, and active threats. These standards are designed to make an agency more efficient, accountable, and responsive to the needs of citizens.
  • 1995- Chief Annette Sandberg was the first woman appointed to head a state law enforcement agency. She was also the youngest of either gender when she was appointed in April, at the age of 33. The State Fire Marshal’s Office joined the agency when the Legislature transferred the Fire Protection Services to the Patrol in July.
  • 2005- Chief John R. Batiste was appointed Chief of the WSP by Governor Christine Gregoire.
  • 2007-The IACP named the WSP for the 2006 National Law Enforcement Challenge Award, “Best Law Enforcement Agency of its Size”. The WSP Commercial Vehicle Division received the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Leadership Award.
  • 2016 marked 28 years of consecutive CALEA accreditation for the Washington State Patrol. That year, the WSP received “Accreditation with Excellence,” the highest single period award given by CALEA.




Department Information

The Washington State Patrol makes a difference every day, enhancing the safety and security of our state 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:

• Strong leadership

• Effective partnerships

• Professional excellence

• Acting with integrity and accountability

• Respecting and protecting individual rights

• Earning the trust and confidence of the public

Specialty Positions

Aviation
Bomb Squad
Canine
Detective
Narcotic
Auto Theft
High Tech Crime
Organized Crime
Motorcycle Patrol
Collision Reconstruction

Technical Collision Investigator
Internal Affairs
Missing and Exploited Children
Drug Recognition Expert
Executive Protection
Capitol Security
Homeland Security
Honor Guard
Training Officers
Field Training Officer

Training Academy
Bicycle Patrol
Corporal
Sergeant
Lieutenant
Captain
SWAT
Technical Collision
Investigators
Instructor



Area Information

County: Statewide
Population: 7.19 million
# of Staff:

Hiring Status

Washington State Patrol - Trooper has 155 vacancies.

This is a continuous list and maintained as scores are received from PST. Upon successfully passing PST, please complete our agency application online through www.careers.wa.gov. Once we obtain your passing PST scores, an updated/current PHS and our agency application we will review your eligibility to move on in our process.

TO AVOID A DELAY IN THE HIRING PROCESS WITH OUR AGENCY, PLEASE COMPLETE YOUR PHS WITHIN 14 DAYS AFTER COMPLETING YOUR WRITTEN EXAM.

HIRING PROCESS

Step 1 – Pass a Written Exam and Physical Fitness Exam through Public Safety Testing (PST), you can sign up here. You cannot move forward in the process without a thorough and completed Personal History Statement (PHS). This document can be found on your PST account.
Step 2 – Once you’ve completed your PST, you will need to create an account on the State of Washington’s job site and fill out an application.
Step 3 – Polygraph and Background Check
Step 4 – Oral Board
Step 5– Psychological and Medical Exam


Salary Information

Trooper Cadets - $5,333.00 per month or $63,996 annually.

Trooper              Monthly       Annually                                   
0 – .5 years         $6,316        $75,792     
.5 – 1.5 years      $6,693         $80,316                                 
1.5 – 2.5 years    $7,095         $85,140
2.5 – 3.5 years    $7,519         $90,228
3.5 – 4.5 years    $7,971         $95,652
4.5 - 5 years        $8,451         $101,412
5 - 10 years         $8,706        $104,472

Plus, educational, geographical, shift differential, longevity and career development pay (see website).

Benefit Information

Medical, Dental, Vision and Washington State Patrol Retirement System (see website for more information).


Equal Employment Opportunity

The Washington State Patrol actively supports diversity in the workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. For a copy of the Washington State Patrol's Equal Employment Opportunity Plan (EEOP), please contact the Human Resource Division.


Washington State Patrol - Trooper Requirements

Category Requirement Required at time of...
    Test Hire
Written Examination Yes, required
LEO/CO Physical Ability Test (PAT) Yes, required as described below

You must have a passing Physical Ability Test (PAT) completed with Public Safety Testing before a conditional offer of employment can be granted. Your PAT must be completed no more than 90 days before your written exam.

Minimum Age 19 1/2
US Citizen/Lawful Permanent Resident US Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident
High School Grad/ GED Yes
Driver's License Required If required by the position description, the applicant must possess a current, non-probationary, and non-restricted valid driver's license. History of restrictions on license or driving record due to vehicle operation or control will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Upon hire, must possess a Washington State driver's license and maintain such license during employment with the WSP.
Felony Conviction(s) as an Adult None
Felony Conviction(s) as a Juvenile None
Ability to Read & Write the English Language Yes
Vision Requirements Must successfully pass the medical-physical exam.
College Requirement No
Veterans Preference Points Yes
Current Hiring Status This is a continuous list and maintained as scores are received from PST. Upon successfully passing and meeting the minimum standards for the Washington State Patrol you will be invited to apply on NEOGOV and scheduled for an oral board.
Body Decorations At this time, we do not have a tattoo policy.
Multiple Scores from Same Applicant We only consider the most recent score
Request/Access Scores Continuously.

Washington State Patrol - Trooper Disqualifiers

The following are automatic and potential disqualifiers. Applicants should not apply to our agency if they indicate any of the automatic disqualifiers. Potential disqualifiers will be considered on a case by case basis.

Category Disqualifier
Driving
Automatic No DUI regardless of time frame. This includes reduced charges related to DUI convictions.
Potential History of restrictions on license or driving record due to vehicle operation or control will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Drug Usage
Automatic Illegal use of ANY controlled substance while employed in a criminal justice capacity.
Automatic No use or possession of Opiates or Heroin, regardless of time frame.
Automatic Hallucinogen use within past 3 years. No more than 5 uses total.
Automatic No illegal sale of ANY drug, including marijuana.
Automatic Illegal use of dangerous drugs or narcotics, other than marijuana, for any purpose more than 5 times in lifetime, and no use within the past 3 years.
Automatic No drug use or possession of any non-prescribed Schedule 1-5 drugs after submitting an application, while employed, or after having been employed by a law enforcement agency, (including military law enforcement), regardless of time frame.
Automatic No use or possession of marijuana/hashish within the last one (1) year, regardless of age.
Automatic No use or possession of any non-prescribed Schedule 1-5 drugs (except for Marijuana/Hashish) in the last three (3) years. This standard applies to synthetic versions of Schedule 1-5 drugs.
Automatic No use or possession of any non-prescribed Schedule 1-5 drugs (except for Marijuana/Hashish) over five (5) times combined. This standard applies to synthetic versions of Schedule 1-5 drugs.
Automatic No injection of any non-prescribed drugs, regardless of time frame.
Automatic No trafficking, selling, offering to sell, or transporting for sale of any illegal drugs, regardless of time frame.
Automatic No intentional inhalation (huffed) of any aerosol or substance (nitrous oxide, whippets, paint, glue, DXM, etc.) in the last three (3) years.
Automatic Examples of schedule I-V drugs include, but not limited to:
• Schedule I (RCW 69.50.204) - Examples could include: Codeine, Heroin, Morphine, Ecstasy, LSD, Peyote, GHB, Methaqualone, Marijuana/Cannabis, etc.
• Schedule II (RCW 69.50.206) - Examples could include: Opium, Cocaine, Codeine, Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, Methadone, Methamphetamine, Amphetamine, Depressants, Hallucinogenic substances, etc.
• Schedule III (RCW 69.50.208) - Examples could include: Stimulants, Depressants, Hallucinogens, Ketamine, Anabolic steroids, Hallucinogenic substances, etc.
• Schedule IV (RCW 69.50.210) - Examples could include: Barbital, Diazepam, Fludiazepam, Halazepam, Lorazepan, Phenobarbital, etc.
• Schedule V (RCW 69.50.212). – Examples could include” Codeine, Dihydrocodeine, Ethylmorphine, Diphenoxylate, Opium, Difenoxin, Lacosamid, Pregabalin, etc.
Criminal Activity
Automatic Any adult felony conviction.
Automatic Any misdemeanor, or felony conviction while employed in a criminal justice capacity.
Automatic

Have no misdemeanor convictions over the age of 21 involving DUI, use or possession of firearms in the commission of a crime, crimes of violence to include assault and domestic violence, larceny, moral turpitude, or controlled substances.

For this purpose, the term “conviction” shall include any disposition adverse to the subject, except a decision not to prosecute, a dismissal, or acquittal; provided, however, that a dismissal entered after a period of probation, suspension, or deferral of prosecution or sentence shall be considered a disposition adverse to the subject.

Potential

Other than those identified above, misdemeanor convictions over the age of 21 may be considered on a case-by-case basis provided they did not occur within the last three (3) years. Final approval will be determined by the Human Resource Division Commander.

For this purpose, the term “conviction” shall include any disposition adverse to the subject, except a decision not to prosecute, a dismissal, or acquittal; provided, however, that a dismissal entered after a period of probation, suspension, or deferral of prosecution or sentence shall be considered a disposition adverse to the subject.

Automatic

Misdemeanor convictions under the age of 21 may be considered on a case-by-case basis provided they did not occur within the last three (3) years. Final approval will be determined by the HRD Commander.

For this purpose, the term “conviction” shall include any disposition adverse to the subject, except a decision not to prosecute, a dismissal, or acquittal; provided, however, that a dismissal entered after a period of probation, suspension, or deferral of prosecution or sentence shall be considered a disposition adverse to the subject.

Automatic

Been convicted of any crime under a domestic violence statute.

For this purpose, the term “conviction” shall include any disposition adverse to the subject, except a decision not to prosecute, a dismissal, or acquittal; provided, however, that a dismissal entered after a period of probation, suspension, or deferral of prosecution or sentence shall be considered a disposition adverse to the subject.
Automatic Unlawful sexual misconduct.
Automatic

Any applicant with a history or conviction of domestic violence shall be eliminated as an employee candidate at that point in the hiring process per RCW 10.99 and the WSP Regulation Manual, Chapter 8.00.320. RCW Mandate – Will apply to all fully commissioned trooper applicants and CVEO applicants

Automatic

No more than two (2) convictions of major moving violations (Reckless Driving, Negligent Driving 2nd Degree, etc.), within the last ten years.

Employment
Automatic Lied during any stage of the hiring process.
Automatic Falsified his or her application, personal history questionnaire, or any other forms during hiring process.
Financial
Potential Current credit accounts, or unresolved accounts in collection will be carefully reviewed.

Contact Information

Washington State Patrol - Trooper

106 11th Ave SW
Suite G400
Olympia, WA 98501 Statewide County
360-704-2300

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Agency Test Requirements
Written Examination: Yes, required
PAT: Yes, required as described below