OLYMPIA — Lawmakers have reached a compromise that would give a 5 percent raise to Washington state troopers this year.
The Olympian reports that several lawmakers say the agreement announced Tuesday is the first step toward bringing State Patrol salaries in line with other Washington law enforcement agencies.
A study commissioned by the Legislature found that the low pay is one factor that has hurt the agency’s retention and recruitment efforts. A transportation budget compromise allows $5 million to go toward State Patrol raises.
That’s less than Democratic leaders proposed, but the budget includes a pledge that a second round of raises will come in 2017.
State Patrol spokesman Kyle Moore says the agency doesn’t usually take a stance on pending legislation, but, he added, “any raise is a good raise.”
