Dozens Of State Troopers Depart As WA Vaccine Deadline Passes

OLYMPIA, WA — Washington State Patrol shed more than 100 members across the state by the end of Monday, as the state deadline passed for all public workers to provide proof they were fully vaccinated against COVID-19, or be granted an exemption and accommodation.

WSP shared new details Tuesday, confirming 127 people were let go "for varying reasons and in varying ways." That total includes 53 civil servants and 74 commissioned officers: 67 state troopers, six sergeants and one captain, WSP said.

"We will miss every one of them," said WSP Chief John Batiste. "I extend a hardy thanks to those who are leaving the agency. I truly wish that you were staying with us."

Prior to this week's departures, WSP said it had 2,200 personnel deployed across its eight districts, detachments and divisions. Agency leaders began developing a contingency plan for operating with reduced staffing shortly after the mandate was announced in August.

In a news release, WSP said leadership will work over the coming days to "gauge the immediate actual impact for short-term mitigation," including moving resources and adjusting personnel where needed. State patrol will continue with a "vigorous recruiting plan" to fill three new academy classes over the coming months and plans to swiftly hire replacements for civilian losses.

WSP released a map Tuesday afternoon, charting the departures by district:

"As for the more than 2,000 individuals who elected to stay with our agency, I am forever thankful," Batiste said. "We have the responsibilities of the agency to carry forward, and 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 by these temporary losses."

In a letter shared with staff Monday night, Batiste thanked the vast majority of his staff for staying put and complying with the governor's orders.

"Covid is a killer and the state is taking action intended to improve public safety," Batiste wrote. "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."

State agencies parted ways with more than 1,900 employees Tuesday, and officials said final actions were pending for another 2,900 workers.