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 James Mjor II
Assistant Chief James Mjor is a 24-year veteran of the Washington State Patrol (WSP) in charge of the Field Operations Bureau (FOB). The primary focus of FOB is traffic law enforcement, collision investigations, and motorist assists on nearly 18,000 lane miles of state and interstate highways.
Assistant Chief Mjor began his career with the WSP as a trooper cadet on May 3, 1999. He graduated with the 85th Trooper Basic Training Class (TBTC) and was commissioned in August 2000.
Prior to his current assignment, Assistant Chief Mjor held a number of positions such as SWAT, collision reconstructionist, general crimes detective, field training officer, narcotics task force supervisor, Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force commander, Rapid Deployment Force (RDF) Commander, Field Operations Bureau District 8 Commander, and RDF statewide coordinator. He was and continues to be an active member in the agency Incident Management Team (IMT).
Assistant Chief Mjor is a 2022 graduate of the FBI National Academy and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Charleston West Virginia in Organization Leadership and Management.
Assistant Chief Christina Martin
Assistant Chief Christina Martin has been recently appointed to the Technology Services Bureau (TSB). This Bureau consists of the Information Technology Division (ITD), Human Resource Division (HRD), Risk Management Division (RMD), the Communications Division (CD), Electronic Services Division (ESD) and the Training Division (TD).
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 Shane Nelson
Assistant Chief Shane Nelson is in charge of the Investigative Services Bureau (ISB). This bureau encompasses seven divisions: Criminal Investigations, Criminal Records, Firearms Background, Investigative Assistance, Homeland Security, Office of Professional Standards, and Special Operations.
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 Division, 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.