OLYMPIA — Washington State Patrol says it had the largest class of cadets in its modern history this year.
The News Tribune reported that 49 new troopers were sworn in at the Capitol on Wednesday.
The class size increase comes after state lawmakers approved a 5 percent raise for state troopers.
The agency said prior to the pay increase, it lost an average of nine troopers a month in 2015.
Among the 49 cadets graduating this week, seven call Clark County home: Josif Brici, Michael S. Canham, William R. Glahn, Jacob C. Pont, Steven A. Spaude, Loren J. Standiford and Evan M. Tippets. Pont, who has been assigned to Goldendale as his initial post, was honored at graduation with the Top Physical Fitness/Top Control Tactics Award.
The class’s Top Overall Cadet was Christopher T. Huhta of Kelso, who has been assigned to the Naselle detachment. Huhta was also presented with the peer-voted Core Values Award by the Washington State Patrol Memorial Foundation in memory of Trooper Brent L. Hanger, who was killed in the line of duty on Aug. 6, 2015.
State lawmakers have said they will raise troopers’ salaries by another 11 percent in July and 3 percent in 2018.
Patrol spokesman Kyle Moore said these changes will help the agency attract new recruits and retain troopers.
A 2016 report showed new troopers were making less money than new officers at the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department and significantly less than new Seattle police officers.
