WSP Academy Open House

[caely02ethan04]

For those that might be interested in WSP...

http://www.wsp.wa.gov/newsfaqs/releases/mr052507b.pdf

[Brendecw1]

Awesome I will be there!

[Blue Lightning]

I will be there too!
I just sent my application last monday, and already got a date for the first phase test. I didn't think they were gonna test anymore before july 14.

[caely02ethan04]

It's definitely a great opportunity to see first hand what your training will be like. I wish they were doing these before I got hired.

[futurencLEO]

My theory as to why they are having trouble attracting recruits is because of the amount of time it would take to actually work the road (which, I think, is what everyone who applies wants to do).

First you have to do the eight(?) week arming class, followed by a certain amount of time doing some security type patrol work, then the actually academy (if you are lucky enough to be called up), then finally road patrol.

I wouldn't mind working for WSP after college/military commitments, however, the hiring process puts it on the backburner.

[Oregon Mike]

I'd apply, but my wife is already wary of moving to Washington. She'd really hate moving three of four times in the first few years. If I was single, I'd be all over it.

[ThursCo]

It's too bad they can't do this on a weekend. We working stiffs have a hard time getting time off to go to one of these. I already have to take time off for the interview/poly etc.

[renli3d]

My theory as to why they are having trouble attracting recruits is because of the amount of time it would take to actually work the road

I think the real reason is that the pay is low. It's even more a factor in the higher cost of living areas like Seattle. You start at $37K and top out at $62K. How are you going to buy a house in the seattle metropolitan area when decent homes are over $400K and a 900sqft two bedroom fixer upper is 300K?

[caely02ethan04]

I think the real reason is that the pay is low. It's even more a factor in the higher cost of living areas like Seattle. You start at $37K and top out at $62K. How are you going to buy a house in the seattle metropolitan area when decent homes are over $400K and a 900sqft two bedroom fixer upper is 300K?

$37,000 is Cadet pay. Obviously you aren't aware the state legislature approved a COLA pay increase for all King County troopers. This means out of the academy (if you are assigned to King county) you should expect to make bout $52,000 plus OT (which is plentiful here). I believe they are getting 18% total over two years.


I know of troops here that work some OT and make over $100,000 easy. I think you could live off of that. Add that to not having to buy ANY of your equipment. Ever. Your own take home car. Driveway to driveway shifts (No roll call). Great command staff. Supportive legislature. Sounds pretty good to me. That's just my humble opinion though.

[savage4presiden]

I will be there too!
I just sent my application last monday, and already got a date for the first phase test. I didn't think they were gonna test anymore before july 14.

I sent my application in on the same day as you. Haven't heard back yet. Probably doesn't mean anything.

[birdman0]

I know of troops here that work some OT and make over $100,000 easy. I think you could live off of that. Add that to not having to buy ANY of your equipment. Ever. Your own take home car. Driveway to driveway shifts (No roll call). Great command staff. Supportive legislature. Sounds pretty good to me. That's just my humble opinion though.

Amen to that. I trust the equipment I was issued, and I didn't have to pay for anything. I look darn good in the bowtie, too.

It sounds like a cliche but money isn't everything. The people I work with and for are the best. After going through Trooper Basic I trust them with my life and they trust me. WSP is a family, much more so than any other agency I know of in Washington (granted, I don't know someone in every single department). So even though I could make more working for another agency, I wouldn't take it.

That white car looks good in my driveway, and I'm proud to have it there.

[renli3d]

$37,000 is Cadet pay. Obviously you aren't aware the state legislature approved a COLA pay increase for all King County troopers. This means out of the academy (if you are assigned to King county) you should expect to make bout $52,000 plus OT (which is plentiful here). I believe they are getting 18% total over two years.

That's good to know, a pay increase is long overdue. Hopefully that will help with recruitment, I know the agency is hurting for people.

[caely02ethan04]

That's good to know, a pay increase is long overdue. Hopefully that will help with recruitment, I know the agency is hurting for people.

Most agencies are hurting for people right now. Seattle PD is very understaffed (roughly 200 last I heard) and they supposedly are the "better" department because they pay a little more. Go figure.

[Blue Lightning]

this was a cool thing to do.
I hope i can go and spend a lot more time there!

[caely02ethan04]

this was a cool thing to do.
I hope i can go and spend a lot more time there!

Just curious, what did you like about it?