Chief John R. Batiste
Click here to learn more about Chief Batiste.

Welcome to the Web site of the Washington State Patrol. The Internet gives us a unique opportunity to share information and ideas directly with those we serve, and to hear back from them as well.

We hope you will take this opportunity to learn about us, and to ask any questions or offer any comments you might have.

The Washington State Patrol is made up of over 2,000 dedicated professionals who work hard, every day, to improve the quality of life for those we serve. We are often the first to see those who have been grievously injured in traffic collisions. We see their families, too- at the hospital and sometimes at the morgue. That experience creates a very strong personal motivation to reduce the number of collisions that occur.

The most visible part of collision reduction is work done by our Field Operations Bureau. Those are the 600 or so troopers you see patrolling the highways every day. Last year those 600 troopers stopped 1.4 million traffic violators. That number is clear testament to their commitment to highway safety, and it leaves me in awe of their work.

But you should know that troopers actually write tickets to only about a third of the people they stop. The goal of any contact is to correct dangerous behavior, and a ticket is just one tool. I expect, when the law allows, that troopers will use professional discretion in handling violator contacts.

However, there is one area where we have found that citations remain a necessary tool: speed.

Speed is a killer. It reduces the chance to avoid some collisions altogether, and turns fender benders into fatalities. We have found that an increase in speeding tickets translates to a clear reduction in traffic fatalities. I have directed our troopers to give very little leeway on speeding violations.

Another concern remains aggressive driving. This kind of driving causes collisions and injuries. It also is just plain frightening to those of us who suffer near-misses as these drivers cut in and out of traffic. We will continue the high level of enforcement that we first targeted at aggressive drivers back in 2002.

Citations and arrests are necessary, and can have a positive effect. But our troopers tell me they prefer those contacts where they are directly able to assist people.

During 2006, the Patrol provided roadside assistance to an average of 346 people each day. We appreciate the many letters of thanks that we receive, and I make sure those letters do in fact get to the involved troopers.

Finally, I can not close this welcome without mentioning a secret weapon. Less visible but just as important are the Patrol’s 1,000 plus civilian employees. Staff who work in our Fire Protection Bureau help prevent fires in your home or workplace. Technicians and scientists in our crime lab completed 547 convicted offender DNA samples in the year 2006 for inclusion in the statewide Convicted Felon DNA database program (CODIS). Last year Washington had 99 CODIS hits, providing crucial evidence to the criminal justice community to help convict or clear criminal offenses. And along with providing investigative support to commissioned staff, our Criminal Records Division helps make sure that persons convicted of sex crimes don’t end up working with kids.

Keeping our state safe is a huge job. Even with our commissioned and civilian staff, we can’t do it alone. We routinely partner with local law enforcement, and agencies like the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. But there’s another partner we’d like to enlist: you.

There are no dues to join this club, and no meetings to attend. All you have to do it buckle up, obey the speed limit, and drive safe!

I hope you enjoy the time you spend visiting our Web site, and if you have questions be sure to let us know at questions@wsp.wa.gov.

With best regards,
Chief John R. Batiste 

	Deputy Chief Paul Beckley
State Fire Marshal Michael G. Matlick Fire Protection Bureau	Assistant Chief David Karnitz Technical Services Bureau	Assistant Chief Les Young Field Operations Bureau
Acting Bureau Director Larry Hebert Forensic Laboratory Services Bureau	Bureau Director Diane C. Perry Management Services Bureau	Assistant Chief Brian Ursino Investigative Services Bureau