Chief John Batiste
Chief John R. Batiste is the 21st Chief of the Washington State Patrol. Governor Christine Gregoire originally appointed Chief Batiste on February 14, 2005. On January 16, 2017, Governor Jay Inslee reappointed Chief Batiste to continue to lead the Washington State Patrol.
He oversees the day-to-day operations and manages the agency’s six bureaus: Commercial Vehicle Enforcement, Field Operations, Fire Protection, Forensic Laboratory Services, Investigative Services, and Technical Services.
Chief Batiste began his career with the Washington State Patrol in March 1976. He has promoted through the ranks of sergeant, lieutenant, captain, and deputy chief. Chief Batiste obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Law Enforcement Administration from City University and is a graduate of Northwestern University’s Center for Public Safety School and Police Staff and Command, as well as a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Executive Institute.
Chief Batiste has been involved in a variety of activities and organizations, including his work with the Kenya National Police Force to create a National Police Chaplain Program and the South African National Police Force to assist with training and procedures on ethical policing.
Chief Batiste is an Executive Board Member of the following: Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, Western States Information Network, Washington Criminal Justice Training Commission, Washington Traffic Safety Commission, Department of Justice/VALOR Advisory Board, International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Governing Body, and was a past General Chair of the IACP State and Provincial Police Division. Chief Batiste serves as a member of the American Association of Motor Vehicles Region IV, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, and also serves on the Washington State Forensic Investigation Council, IACP Criminal Intelligence Coordinating Council, Governor’s Emergency Management Council, and the IACP Transnational Crimes Committee.
Assistant Chief Clark Jones
Bio coming soon…
Assistant Chief Jason Cuthbert
Assistant Chief Jason Cuthbert oversees the Technical Services Bureau (TSB). This bureau includes the Communications Division, Electronics Services Division, Human Resource Division, Information Technology Division, Risk Management Division, and Training Division.
Assistant Chief Cuthbert was hired by the Washington State Patrol (WSP) on January 6, 2003, and attended the 90th Trooper Basic Training Class. He was commissioned on March 16, 2004.
Prior to his current assignment, he served as the Human Resources Director for nearly two years and Motor Carrier Safety Division Commander for three years. He spent all his prior time to that in the Field Operations Bureau as a trooper, sergeant, and lieutenant.
Assistant Chief Cuthbert earned a Bachelor of Science from Portland State University. He is a graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command.
State Fire Marshal Chad L. Cross
State Fire Marshal Chad L. Cross joined the Washington State Patrol in 2015, as Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal of Safety at the Washington State Fire Training Academy. In 2017, he was promoted to Assistant Commander of the Fire Training Academy, and then to Commander of the Fire Training Division in 2018.
State Fire Marshal Cross is a Safety and Health Professional with experience in the fire service and emergency management arena. Chad received his degree in Safety and Health Management from Central Washington University and Fire Science Degree from Wenatchee Valley College. He has worked in both the private and public sector since 2007.
Chief John R. Batiste appointed Chad L. Cross to the State Fire Marshal position, effective September 9, 2022.
Forensic Laboratory Director Dr. Fiona Couper
Dr. Fiona Couper is currently the Director of the Forensic Laboratory Services Bureau for the Washington State Patrol. She received her Ph.D. (Medical) degree in Forensic Medicine/Forensic Toxicology from the Department of Forensic Medicine, Monash University, Australia. Dr. Couper has been working in the field of forensic toxicology for 30-years, with 20-years of experience managing forensic laboratory systems. Prior positions have included the State Toxicologist, Toxicology Laboratory Division Commander for the Washington State Patrol, and the Chief Toxicologist/Laboratory Services Director/Risk Manager for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Couper has spent much of her career helping to advance forensic sciences at a national level, and has been active in numerous scientific organizations, such as the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS), Society of Forensic Toxicologists (SOFT), and The International Association of Forensic Toxicologists (TIAFT). She has presented at national and international conferences on multiple forensic science topics, published over 30 peer-reviewed scientific articles, and has regularly participated in the assessment of forensic toxicology programs throughout the United States. Dr. Couper has served on scientific working committees for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), The Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC), and a standards development organization responsible for drafting and publishing national forensic science standards and best practices, the American Academy of Forensic Sciences – Academy Standards Board (AAFS ASB). Dr. Couper’s main areas of focus have been post-mortem forensic toxicology, human performance forensic toxicology, drug-facilitated crimes, and forensic laboratory quality management.
Assistant Chief Jason Knott
Assistant Chief Jason Knott is a 28-year veteran of the Washington State Patrol (WSP) and leads the Investigative Services Bureau (ISB). The bureau includes the Justice Information Division, Homeland Security Division, the Office of Professional Standards, Criminal Investigation Division, Investigative Assistance Division, Special Operations Division, and the Firearms Background Division.
Assistant Chief Knott began his career with the WSP as a trooper cadet in 1998. He graduated with the 84th Trooper Basic Training Class (TBTC) and was commissioned in March 2000, assigned to Morton.
Prior to his current assignment, he served as a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE), narcotic detection canine handler on the Serious Highway Crime Apprehension Team (SHCAT), detective sergeant and supervisor of the multi-agency Snohomish County Auto-Theft Task Force (SNOCAT), Rapid Deployment Team (RDT) Commander, Field Operations Bureau District 7 Commander, and the RDT statewide coordinator.
Assistant Chief Knott is a veteran of the U.S. Army and Washington National Guard. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Law & Justice from Central Washington University. He is a graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command, 557th Class, where he received the Franklin M. Kreml Leadership Award.
Assistant Chief Shannon Bendiksen
Assistant Chief Shannon Bendiksen is in charge of the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Bureau (CVEB). This bureau includes the Commercial Vehicle Division, Motor Carrier Safety Division and the Property Management Division.
Bendiksen was hired by the Washington State Patrol (WSP) on February 22, 2000 as a member of the 86th Trooper Basic Training Class. She was commissioned on June 16, 2001.
Prior to her current assignment, she served as the Assistant Chief of the Technical Services Bureau, the Motor Carrier Safety Division Commander for two years and Training Division Commander for nearly four years. She also held assignments in the Field Operations Bureau and the Office of Professional Standards-Internal Affairs.
Assistant Chief Bendiksen earned a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education Degree from the University of Portland. She is a graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command, 470th Class, where she served the class as vice president. She is currently working on her Master of Science in Management and Leadership Degree.