WSP now hiring lateral officers
By Terry Murry on Friday, September 29th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Patrol is accepting lateral hires for the first time in the agency’s 100-year history. The move comes in response to hiring and retention challenges felt by law enforcement agencies across the country.
With the passing of House Bill 1638 during the 2023 legislative session, the WSP has been budgeted to hold two lateral classes over the next biennium in response to the current and anticipated agency needs. Among commissioned officers, the WSP currently has upwards of 250 openings between vacancies and expected retirements.
A lateral hire involves an applicant who is already a certified law enforcement officer with another agency. Such hires have already completed a training academy course, meaning lateral hires will undergo a shortened training prior to graduating as a WSP trooper. The hiring process for laterals will mirror that of trooper cadets, including a thorough background check, polygraph, and psychological evaluation.
The WSP is aiming to have 40 lateral hires in time for the inaugural class slated to begin in March 2024, with a second class expected to begin later in that year.
More information is at www.wsp.wa.gov/lateral-class.
