Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Troopers either vaccinated or lost their jobs
OLYMPIA - The Washington State Patrol (WSP) lost 127 employees because of Gov. Jay Inslee's COVID vaccine ultimatum.
The state employee deadline to be vaccinated or be accepted for an exemption was Monday. Any state employee not vaccinated or exempted was fired. Whitman County Sheriff's Office and police departments were not facing the mandate and left to determine their agencies policies.
The state lost 74 troopers (67 troopers, 6 sergeants, and 1 captain) and 53 civil servants.
"We will miss every one of them," state patrol Chief John R Batiste said. "I extend a hardy thanks to those who are leaving the agency. I truly wish that you were staying with us. You have my utmost appreciation for the hard and successful work that you have provided during your valued WSP careers. You will forever have our respect for your courage and your commitment in all you have done on behalf of the agency."
The state patrol employs 2,200 people across the state. The lost employees are 5.77% of the Washington State Patrol workforce.
"The departures are spread across the state impacting some areas differently than others," said Government and Media Relations Captain Neil Weaver.
Whitman County is in District 4, which is Whitman, Adams, Ferry, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane, and Stevens counties. The district lost 10 troopers and staff members.
"As for the more than 2,000 individuals who elected to stay with our agency, I am forever thankful ... I am not going to ask you to do more with less. We shall do our very best to keep our remaining staff from becoming overburdened," said Batiste. "We must now turn our attention to making sure we deploy our resources in a manner that continues to keep our roadways safe and meets the other core law enforcement responsibilities this agency has met with honor for over 100 years."
Since Inslee announced the COVID vaccine ultimatum, the state patrol began preparing to shift their resources to continue their role as the state law enforcement agency. Three academies are planned to train newly hired troopers.
"COVID is a killer and the state is taking action intended to improve public safety. I thank you for staying on post and staying in service to this state and agency. Better days are ahead. Believe that and know I believe in you," Batiste told troopers and employees.
Bill Stevenson is the former editor of the Whitman County Gazette, Colfax Daily Bulletin and Franklin Connection. He has nearly 30 years of journalism experience covering news in Eastern Washington.
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