SEQUIM — State Patrol Trooper Abigayle A. Powers, a Sequim native, is on the beat and hopes to improve the public perception of police.

Powers, 21, was sworn in as a peace officer Nov. 19 during a ceremony at the Capitol Rotunda in Olympia.

She is now assigned to Marysville in District 7.

“Right now, with the state of how police are viewed nationwide . . . I think that is the most rewarding thing — being able to show the public that we do care,” she said over the phone last week from Marysville.

Powers is one of 25 graduates in the 105th Trooper Basic Training Class.

Assigned to Peninsula

Two other graduates are being assigned to posts in District 8 on the North Olympic Peninsula.

Aleksander D. Black, 22, of Spokane has been assigned to the Forks area, while Seth C. Jones, 22, of Tumwater has been assigned to Port Townsend.

Both men assumed their posts Nov. 20.

During their course work, the cadets completed more than 1,000 hours of training.

The graduates were sworn in by state Supreme Court Associate Chief Justice Charles W. Johnson, and were presented with commission cards by Gov. Jay Inslee and State Patrol Chief John R. Batiste.

“The 25 cadets graduating today endured a rigorous application process, extensive background investigation, and received the best training, unmatched anywhere else in the nation,” Batiste said during the ceremony.

“Today, they will join the ranks of Washington’s finest, as troopers of the Washington State Patrol.”

The Washington State Patrol Academy produces about three cadet classes every two years, which accounts for about 100 to 120 new troopers.

Historically, only about 4 percent to 6 percent of the total number of applicants makes the grade to become troopers, according to State Patrol.

Responsibility

Powers said that although she is excited about becoming a trooper, “it makes me feel a lot older than I actually am.

“I think it is just the type of career that it is. Starting a career at 21, I don’t think people think about doing that.”

Powers has been assigned a patrol vehicle and conducts standard enforcement activities as she works the day shift from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

She said she regularly responds to collisions and assists disabled vehicles.

“It is pretty much the same throughout the state as far as what we do,” she said, “but here [in Marysville] it is interesting because we have rush hour and getting used to that is going to take some time.”

Powers does not ride with a partner, and has “made a couple of my first traffic stops all by myself,” she said.

“It is pretty interesting being alone out there.”

While back-up is a radio call away, most of the time Powers is alone and must be self-reliant when approaching a vehicle, she said.

Self-reliance “is what they give you in the academy. That is what you learn there.”

Non-confrontational

During traffic stops, Powers approaches those she has pulled over in a non-confrontational way, she said.

“I just talk to them like I am a normal person without the uniform on. It would be like talking to my mom or my dad. I am not better than they are in any respect.”

Powers, daughter of Jeff and Gayle Powers of Sequim, is one of 11 siblings — a middle child — and the only member of her family in law enforcement.

About half of her siblings still live in the Sequim area, she said.

She was home-schooled and after completing her high school course work, she attended Skagit Valley College in Mount Vernon.

She is pursuing an associate’s degree in technical arts and criminal justice.

Powers said that while growing up, she did not aspire to a law enforcement career.

“I wanted to be more of an office assistant, but I can’t be behind a desk all day. That is just not me,” she said.

“Being out on the road is a lot more rewarding and I really enjoy that.”

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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Chris McDaniel can be reached at 360-681-2390, ext. 5052, or cmcdaniel@peninsuladailynews.com.