Thirty-nine Washington State Patrol Trooper Cadets were sworn in by Washington State Supreme Court Chief Justice Barbara Madsen during a ceremony held in the Capitol Rotunda in Olympia Wednesday afternoon.
“The thirty-nine cadets graduating today endured a rigorous application process, extensive background investigation, and received the best training, unmatched anywhere else in the nation,” said Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste during the ceremony. “Today, they will join the ranks of Washington’s finest, as troopers of the Washington State Patrol.”
Batiste and Washington State Governor Jay Inslee presented official commission cards to the troopers, who completed more than 1,000 hours of training.The Washington State Patrol Academy produces approximately two cadet classes each biennium, which accounts for about 60 to 120 new troopers. Historically, only about four to six percent of the total number of applicants makes the grade to become Washington State Patrol troopers.
The Washington State Patrol dates back to June 21, 1921. The graduation of the 103rd Washington State Patrol Trooper Basic Training Class this week was signaled by the stream of shiny white patrol cars parked in the lanes leading up to the Capitol steps.
