Veteran Washington State Patrol (WSP) Capt. Mark Couey is the new director of the state insurance commissioner’s Special Investigations Unit. Couey has more than 28 years of law enforcement experience, having worked for both the Oregon State Police and the Washington State Patrol. He started his WSP career in 1985 and has been stationed in Vancouver, Bremerton, Poulsbo, Hoquiam and Olympia. “We were very pleased to welcome Mark to the agency,” said Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler. … [Read more...]

If you’ve ever been the victim of a crime, been in a collision, reported a fire or needed emergency medical help, you’ve called 9-1-1 and been helped by a telecommunicator. At the Washington State Patrol they are known officially as Communications Officers. Other agencies use the more formal term of Telecommunicator, or similar titles. The common term is “dispatcher:” the person who answers the phone or radio and sends help where it’s needed. “Dispatchers are usually the first … [Read more...]

The State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) is proud to announce the appointment of Brian Teed as Superintendent of the Spokane Veterans Home. Teed served as a Hospital Corpsman in the U.S. Navy working in Naval Hospitals, aboard ship, and with the Marine Corps, where he developed a passion for serving the members of our military both clinically and in administration. After being honorably discharged from the military, Teed went back to school under the GI Bill and received his … [Read more...]

At a ceremony held in the Capitol Rotunda, 44 Washington State Patrol Troopers were sworn in by Retired Washington State Supreme Court Justice Gerry L. Alexander, and presented their commission cards by Governor Christine Gregoire and Chief John R. Batiste, who welcomed them into an organization known and trusted by the citizens of Washington State. After completing 26 weeks of rigorous training at State Patrol’s Academy and another eight weeks working the road with experienced troopers, … [Read more...]

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