Largest Washington trooper class in modern history graduates

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Washington State Patrol says it had the largest class of cadets in its modern history this year.

The News Tribune reports 49 new troopers were sworn in at the Capitol Wednesday. The class size increase comes after state lawmakers approved a 5 percent raise for state troopers.

The agency says prior to the pay increase, it lost an average of nine troopers a month in 2015. State lawmakers have said they will raise troopers' salaries by another 11 percent in July and 3 percent in 2018.

Patrol spokesman Kyle Moore says these changes will help the agency attract new recruits and retain troopers.

A 2016 report showed new troopers were making less money than new officers at Pierce County Sheriff's Department and significantly less than new Seattle officers.