Washington State Patrol Trooper Cadet

State of Washington • Multiple Locations Statewide, WA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Washington State Patrol Troopers are general authority peace officers who uphold the United States Constitution, Washington State Constitution, laws, and statutes to protect the public. They serve Washington communities with compassion, integrity, and humility, working independently with minimal supervision to provide police and safety services to residents and visitors. Troopers enforce criminal and traffic laws, support prosecutions through arrests, searches, investigations, and court proceedings, promote safe traffic flow, and respond to collisions. They also assist motorists, crime victims, the public, and governmental bodies; contribute to public-safety and crime-prevention projects; and may take part in specialty assignments.

Troopers patrol assigned areas and respond to service calls to provide coverage around the clock. The work includes traffic enforcement and stops, vehicle pursuits and other high-risk maneuvers, searches, arrests, investigations, collision response, emergency first aid, and courtroom testimony. Troopers may work independently, operate under normal and emergency conditions, manage emotionally distressed people, and respond to critical incidents or civil disorder. Cadets receive a monthly salary of $5,950.68 ($71,408.16 annually). After required training, they are promoted to Trooper and receive a monthly salary of $7,763 ($93,156 annually), with subsequent pay steps and potential additional compensation.

The hiring process consists of a physical fitness and written test, polygraph, background investigation and oral interview, and psychological testing and interview plus a medical examination. Applicants must meet the listed minimum qualifications and physical abilities, and complete required training. The position may involve statewide assignments, rotating shifts, weekends, holidays, and 24-hour call availability.

Requirements

• Be a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States.
• Be at least 19½ years old at the time of application.
• Speak, write, and read English.
• Possess a current, non-probationary, non-restricted valid driver's license and be able to obtain and maintain a Washington State driver's license during employment.
• Have a high school diploma from a state-sanctioned and recognized school, a GED, or an associate degree or higher from an accredited college.
• Successfully pass a pre-employment polygraph, comprehensive background investigation, departmental medical examination, and departmental psychological examination.
• Be willing and able to work weekends, holidays, rotating shifts, and 24-hour call, and accept statewide assignments.
• Be free from the use of narcotics or controlled substances and meet the applicant good-moral-character standard.
• Current military applicants must be within six months of their ETS date.
• Possess the physical abilities to see, hear, smell, feel, walk, jump, run, climb, lift, drag, and carry; jump into a vehicle and over guardrails; and change a tire.
• Be able to shoot a pistol, rifle, and shotgun with either hand, distinguish colors, and be free from color blindness and night blindness.
• After department training, be able to demonstrate first-aid knowledge; appropriate use of force, including firearms; clear radio communication; unaided operation of a standard-issue patrol vehicle; appropriate use of emergency lights and siren; proper use of issued equipment; and credible courtroom testimony.
• Demonstrate the equity competencies of taking action to learn and grow and taking action to meet the needs of others.
• Applicants with a history of domestic violence are excluded from consideration under the cited statute and WSP regulation.

Responsibilities

• Patrol assigned geographical areas and respond to calls for service, providing patrol coverage 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• Observe vehicles and enforce traffic laws and regulations, including conducting traffic stops, issuing warnings or tickets, and making arrests as appropriate.
• Operate patrol vehicles in normal and emergency situations while performing multiple tasks; conduct pursuits and high-risk maneuvers, including PIT maneuvers, roadblocks, and spike-strip deployment.
• Search people and vehicles for weapons, contraband, and evidence; identify impairment and conduct sobriety tests; detain and arrest subjects using appropriate restraints and force.
• Communicate legal procedures to violators and provide assistance to motorists, crime victims, and the public.
• Clear roadway hazards and assist stranded, disabled, or injured motorists, including changing tires, arranging towing, and jump-starting vehicles.
• Inspect and maintain issued equipment; provide manual traffic control; transport people; and coordinate vehicle towing and storage.
• Direct law-enforcement personnel and the public at collision or incident scenes until relieved, and respond to critical incidents and civil disorder to protect life and property and restore order.
• Assess damage and injuries at scenes and collect, preserve, and document evidence.
• Investigate collisions, misdemeanors, felonies, and suspected criminal activity; interview people and research facts for investigations.
• Maintain knowledge of relevant case law, procedural law, and penal codes; obtain and serve warrants and book violators according to procedure.
• Prepare investigation reports and testify in court concerning arrests, collision investigations, and infractions.
• Administer basic emergency first aid and notify next of kin and others when a loss of life occurs.
• Serve on committees, assist with projects related to public safety and crime prevention, and participate in specialty assignments and other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• $10,000 retention bonus: $5,000 after successful completion of Trooper Basic Training and $5,000 after successful completion of the Trooper probationary period.
• Shift differential pay, education incentive pay, geographic pay, and specialty pay.
• Paid leave time and benefits.
• Eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
• Eligible veterans may qualify for a supplemental monthly G.I. Bill education-benefit payment while participating in on-the-job training and may qualify for other VA benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED