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WSP’s 19th CVEO Basic Class graduates 10 new officers

February 8, 2024

OLYMPIA, Wash.– The Washington State Patrol (WSP) graduated 10 new Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officers (CVEO) today who will report for duty throughout the state promoting the safe operation of commercial motor vehicles within the communities they serve.

The newly graduated CVEOs completed 24 weeks of training: 14 weeks of classroom at the WSP Academy in Shelton and 10 weeks in the field alongside a field training officer. This time afforded each new officer the knowledge, skills, and hands-on learning opportunities needed to become well versed in the laws and regulations safeguarding commercial motor vehicle operation within Washington State.

During that 10-week coaching trip, the CVEO recruits made more than 1,300 contacts, completed more than 1250 inspections, investigated more than 40 collisions, and placed more than 780 vehicles out of service for safety violations. Topics of study included the laws and regulations for commercial motor vehicle weight, size, and equipment safety; hazardous materials; driver and vehicle licensing; permitting requirements and more. The officers also completed the academy’s emergency vehicle operator course, firearms certification, and defensive tactics courses.

“Our fatality rates here in the State of Washington are moving in the wrong direction,” Chief John R. Batiste said during the graduation ceremony. “[These graduates] couldn’t have arrived at a more important period of time in the history of this agency – I thank them for what it is they are going to do to help us bend that curve back in the right direction.”

The new graduates of the 19th CVEO Basic Class include:

• Officer Leonardo Bobadilla, assigned to Plymouth Port of Entry;
• Officer Melissa Brito, assigned to Plymouth Port of Entry;
• Officer Mireya Gamino-Cisneros, assigned to Plymouth Port of Entry;
• Officer Wade L. Green, assigned to Bow Hill Port of Entry;
• Officer Teresa F. Kruger, assigned to the Spokane Port of Entry;
• Officer Eugenio Oceguera Jr., assigned to School Bus West (Tumwater);
• Officer Benjamin J. Rouse, assigned to Cle Elum Port of Entry;
• Officer Robert E. Tripp, assigned to Cle Elum Port of Entry;
• Officer Keith A. Vaughns, assigned to School Bus North (Tacoma);
• Officer Melinda A. Willey, assigned to Ridgefield Port of Entry

Members of the 19th CVEO Basic Class earned additional recognitions for several categories, including:

Firearms: Officer Eugenio Oceguera Jr.
Academics: Officer Robert E. Tripp
Driving Award: Officer Robert E. Tripp
Defensive Tactics: Officer Benjamin J. Rouse
2023 Core Values Award: Officer Mireya Gamino-Cisneros

The 2023 Core Values Award was presented to Officer Gamino-Cisneros by Luanne Mason, the daughter of fallen WSP Weight Control Officer Joseph Modlin, who was killed in the line of duty on Aug. 15, 1974. The award is determined by an anonymous vote among the classmates and is presented to the officer who most exemplifies the agency’s core values of honesty, integrity, team-oriented, attention to detail, self-discipline, adaptability, performance driven, professionalism, officer-safety, and sense of urgency. Officer Gamino-Cisneros is the first female CVEO to be awarded the 2023 Core Values Award in the program’s history.

CVEOs are required to pass through a written exam, oral board interview, polygraph, and background check, as well as a psychological and medical exam prior to being hired by the WSP. The new hires then participate in the three-phased program, including a pre-academy observation period, academy training, and field training phase.

Those interested in a career as a WSP CVEO can find out more about the career and hiring process by visiting here. To view the graduation ceremony from the WSP live stream, visit here.

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Release sent by Sergeant Chelsea Hodgson, WSP PIO

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