Report: Washington state troopers are underpaid, unhappy

SEATTLE – A new report commissioned by the Legislature has found that Washington state troopers are not just underpaid, they’re also unhappy with the agency’s management.

The Seattle Times reported many troopers are planning to leave the state agency in the near future. Those plans stem not just because of their pay or because they are nearing retirement age. The report calls the situation “unsustainable” and makes recommendations for how the State Patrol can do a better job of keeping and recruiting troopers.

More than half the nearly 500 troopers and sergeants who responded to a survey say their opinions aren’t taken into account by the Washington State Patrol. And 46 percent of those responding say they don’t feel valued by the agency.

The report says low morale is impacting the agency’s operations.