Wednesday, March 2, 2016
House Approves Rep. Fey’s State Patrol Bill
Strong bipartisan support for officer recruitment and retention
OLYMPIA – With a 85-12 vote, the House of Representatives passed legislation sponsored by Representative Jake Fey (D-Tacoma) to help the Washington State Patrol address its challenge with finding and keeping top law enforcement talent.
“Our vote today is a victory for safer roads and highways,” said Fey, vice-chair of the House Transportation Committee. “I’m very pleased to see such strong bipartisan support for our State Patrol officers.”
For years, the Washington State Patrol has struggled to recruit and retain law enforcement officers due to a challenging work environment and below average compensation at the entry levels. Fey’s legislation, House Bill 2872, would raise starting salaries and direct the agency to examine the organizational culture concerns.
“It’s the State Patrol who respond to accidents and put a stop to dangerous drivers. The legislature must act to ensure these officers are supported and appreciated as they work tirelessly to safeguard our transportation system,” added Fey.
The legislation now heads to the Senate for consideration.