Special Programs and Partnerships

The WSP maintains several programs and external partnerships to improve public safety on the highway and in the community.

Civil Disturbance Action Team

The Washington State Patrol Civil Disturbance Action Team (CDAT) is comprised of four regional squads that are located in Tacoma, Bellevue, Spokane, and Marysville.  CDAT responds to civil disturbances, demonstrations, labor disputes, and other situations to restore law and order as well as to protect life and property.

For more information about the WSP CDAT program contact:

• Captain Jim Lever
  (360) 658-2588
  Jim.Lever@wsp.wa.gov.

Assistance Patrol/Incident Response

In partnership with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), the Washington State Patrol has assigned Trooper Cadets to motorist assistance duties in King and Pierce counties.  Assistance Patrol Cadets work with WSDOT Incident Response personnel in Seattle on I-5 and in Tacoma on SR-16.  The cadets provide help to the motoring public when a trooper would otherwise be unavailable.  They assist disabled motorists, remove roadway debris, assist with collisions and respond to a wide variety of other calls for service.  For additional information contact:

• Sgt. Chris Clark (King County)
  (206) 720-3040
  Chris.Clark@wsp.wa.gov
  OR
  
• Sgt. Chet Pennington (Pierce County)
  (253) 536-6210
  Chet.Penington@wsp.wa.gov

or go to: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/operations/incidentresponse/

Traffic Incident Management

Another partnership aimed at reducing freeway congestion is the Traffic Incident Management (TIM) program.  TIM is based on a partnership involving the Washington State Patrol, the Washington State Department of Transportation and the local fire departments throughout the state.

In July of 2002 the WSP, WSDOT and Washington Association of Fire Chiefs (WSAFC) proposed a plan to improve the management and expeditious clearing of highway incidents.  This is done through pre-incident training and improved on-scene partnerships and management.

Since that time representative from WSP, WSDOT and the fire service have teamed up to provide TIM training to emergency responders statewide.  For additional information contact:

• Sergeant Tracy Marrs
  (360) 426-1661
  Tracy.Marrs@wsp.wa.gov
  

or go to: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/partners/TIM/about.htm.

Operation Lifesaver

The Washington State Patrol is an executive member of Washington Operation Lifesaver (OL), a public-private partnership dedicated to reducing fatalities and injuries at highway-rail grade crossings and elsewhere along railroad rights-of-way. Operation Lifesaver educates the public about highway-rail grade crossing safety and the dangers associated with trespassing on railroad property. OL gets involved with engineering projects to improve public safety, and works with the law enforcement community in an effort to reduce grade crossing and trespass incidents.  For additional information contact:

• Lt. Michael Turcott
  (360) 753-0223
  Michael.Turcott@wsp.wa.gov
  

or go to: www.wutc.wa.gov/waol.