After graduating high school and serving in the United States Army, I decided to pursue a career in law enforcement and accepted employment with the Washington State Patrol (WSP) as a trooper cadet in the Supply Section in 1991. As a commissioned trooper, I have served in the following capacities throughout my career: technical collision investigator; adjunct academy instructor; field training officer; internal affairs detective; executive protection trooper; public information officer, and a morning traffic reporter for KOMO 4 Television News. In September of 2005, I accepted an assignment with the Human Resource Division as a newly promoted sergeant in charge of the Trooper Cadet Testing & Recruiting Unit. As you can see, career opportunities for troopers extend well beyond arresting impaired drivers, enforcing traffic laws, investigating collisions, assisting disabled motorists, and performing criminal interdictions. Commissioned troopers have the opportunity to become members of SWAT, Organized Crime and Computer Investigations, Collision Reconstruction, Missing and Exploited Children Investigation Unit, Homeland Security, Bomb Squad, Motorcycle Unit, Aviation Unit, and K-9 Programs. Troopers can be auto-theft detectives, narcotics detectives, and academy instructors. Many more opportunities exist. I realize that people might be interested in a law enforcement career, but may have questions or concerns about job requirements. This is understandable. I also had questions about my future dream job with the State Patrol. However, I contacted African American troopers employed by the WSP and talked to them about the agency and law enforcement. Communicating with these troopers made it clear to me that the WSP was a great fit and a goal I could reach. I achieved my objective of becoming a trooper and you can do the same.
Learn more about the Washington State Patrol at: http://www.wsp.wa.gov/