OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Washington State Patrol is down over 200 positions and with recruiting classes getting smaller and more troopers reaching retirement age, the agency fears it could be short-staffed for years to come.
Chris Loftis with WSP says their last two academy classes have been the most diverse classes they’ve had, but in total, they are only bringing in 87 new troopers.
“We have a hole that is deep and it’s only going to get deeper in the next few years,” Loftis said.
Loftis shared these numbers with KIRO 7 about how many on staff will be eligible for retirement the next few years.