Washington State Patrol

17 Stories

Slow down, people! Surge in traffic deaths continues in West Coast states

While many of the disruptions of the pandemic have eased this year, the surge in traffic fatalities is showing few signs of abating. Policymakers are trying a number of tactics to respond.
Tom Banse
It’s not just police officers. 911 dispatchers are also in short supply

If you call 911, you expect someone to answer quickly and send help. But that system is strained these days by a shortage of dispatchers. The problem has grown worse during the Covid pandemic. In Washington, some State Patrol dispatch centers have a vacancy rate over 50%. And one office got so short-staffed it had to close.
Austin Jenkins
See ya! Washington police say drivers aren’t stopping for them; cite pursuit restrictions

Since January of this year, more than 900 drivers have failed to stop for a Washington State Patrol trooper trying to pull them over. The patrol and other police agencies around the state say they’ve never seen such blatant disregard for their lights and sirens. The change in driver behavior comes after state lawmakers passed strict new rules on when police can engage in pursuits.
Austin Jenkins
Third violent incident closes parkway on Washington’s Capitol Campus

Deschutes Parkway on Washington's Capitol Campus was closed by police for the third time this month following a violent crime.
Austin Jenkins
Unvaccinated Washington state employees face their last day on the job

Monday is the deadline for Washington state employees, healthcare and long-term care workers and those working in the education field to be fully vaccinated. Those who aren’t could be out of a job by day’s end. Some of the state employees who face termination got exemptions, but not a workplace accommodation so they could stay on the payroll.
Austin Jenkins
Washington State Patrol’s hiring under fire as agency failed to diversify over decades

The Washington State Patrol turned 100 this year. To this day it’s still a mostly white, male organization. Over the years it’s struggled to diversify. But now one part of the hiring process is getting fresh scrutiny: the psychological review.
Mike Reicher of The Seattle Times

Austin Jenkins
Another breach at Washington governor’s mansion reveals ongoing security gaps

A woman was able to enter the secure grounds of Washington's governor's residence on Wednesday before being stopped by the Washington State Patrol. Gov. Jay Inslee and First Lady Trudi Inslee were not home at the time. The security breach follows a much larger incident on January 6 when a group of pro-Trump supporters forced open a gate and spilled onto the mansion lawn, eventually making their way to the mansion's front portico.
Austin Jenkins
The vehicle checkpoints and fencing are gone, but security concerns remain at Washington’s Capitol

At Washington’s Capitol Campus, a post-legislative session calm has settled in. Gone are the State Patrol checkpoints and National Guard troops that...
Austin Jenkins
Former Washington State Patrol sergeant stripped of right to carry a badge

A former sergeant in the Washington State Patrol was stripped of his state peace officer certification on Wednesday over allegations he carried out a...
Austin Jenkins

Mike Reicher of The Seattle Times
She was killed in the line of duty. 36 years later the State Patrol remembers as part of centennial

It was the Friday before Memorial Day weekend 36 years ago and Washington State Patrol Trooper Glenda Thomas was patrolling I-5 through Seattle. A call...
Austin Jenkins

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