On Friday, August 16, a large group of Captain Monica Alexander’s colleagues, supporters, friends, and family gathered to celebrate her retirement.

Heavy hearts filled the packed room as did the joy and laughter that Captain Alexander always brings along with her.

After 22 years and 9 months of service, Captain Alexander retired from Washington State Patrol (WSP), leaving behind a legacy of deep knowledge, tireless work, and dedication to those she served.

From the start of her career, she has been a trailblazer. She is the first and only African American female to be promoted to the rank of Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain in the history of WSP. 

Captain Monica Alexander and her son, Spencer Powell, with former Chief Ronal Serpas at her promotion to Sergeant.

Throughout her time at WSP, she revolutionized communication between the agency and the media. Not only was she a district PIO as a Trooper early in her career, she worked as a traffic reporter for KOMO News from 2000-2006. This resulted in a cultural shift in WSP’s relationship with the public, opening doors for a more engaging and deeper relationship between WSP and the media in a consistent and positive manner. In 2006, Captain Alexander became the first Sergeant assigned to the Office of Government and Media Relations, where she continued her work as a PIO.

She went on to work as a Sergeant in both Field Operations Bureau and the Internal Affairs Office of Professional Standards before being promoted to Lieutenant of Field Operations Bureau in 2013.

In 2015, she was chosen by Chief John R. Batiste to take on the role of Captain of Government and Media Relations, where she developed and maintained positive and influential relationships with state legislators as well as community partners and organizations.

Recently, she has worked to pass 2nd Substitute House Bill 1166, which established a Survivor Bill of Rights, requiring law enforcement to undergo specialized trauma enforced training and prohibits destruction of rape kits— some of which have sat untested for decades. Before this, she worked to pass House Bill 2530 which requires the WSP to create and operate a statewide Sexual Assault Kit Tracking System. It also funded a high-throughput lab, which could clear the backlog in two years and all newly submitted kits in 45 days.

In 2019 she authored the Missing & Murdered Native American Women Report in response to her work with House Bill 2951, which included extensive outreach and engagement with the Native American communities.

A number of state representatives attended her retirement party, including Representatives Tina Orwall, Gina Mosbrucker, Jake Fey, and John Lovick. Governor Inslee’s Senior Policy Advisor Sonja Hallum also read a personalized letter to Captain Alexander from the Governor, recognizing her trailblazing impact on the state of Washington.

During the ceremony, Chief Batiste presented Captain Alexander with a framed certificate and the newest Chief’s coin.

Captain Alexander celebrates her retirement with her son, Spencer Powell, her husband Assistant Chief Johnny Alexander, and Chief John Batiste.

“I cannot thank you enough for the work you have done for this agency,” said Chief John R. Batiste, “You have inspired countless young women, including my daughter. It is evident that you have made an impact by this room full of people from all walks of life.” Chief Batiste’s daughter, Trooper Johnna Batiste, is currently WSP District 1 PIO.

Captain Alexander will certainly continue to make positive change in her new role as Advanced Instructor for In-Service Training at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, where she will be teaching the next generation of law enforcement officers across the state.

Her WSP legacy is unmatched and will live on through the work she has done as well as the lives she will continue to impact.

Monica A. Alexander Resume

Monica was born in Los Angeles, California, and graduated from Pasadena High School in Pasadena, California. Monica attended North Texas State University where she held an internship with an NBC affiliate as an assistant to the public service announcement department.  She also held an internship as a ring side wrestler interviewer for the WWF in Dallas, Texas. In addition, Monica hosted a jazz radio show at NTSU. From 1985-1989 Monica owned and operated “Image Perfection” hair salon in Pasadena, California. She then became a flight attendant with United Airlines from 1990-1996, based out of New York, New York.

  • Monica began her employment with the Washington State Patrol on November 4, 1996, as a Trooper Cadet assigned to the Commercial Vehicle Division. She was then assigned to the Governor’s Mansion in Olympia.
  • She graduated from the 81st Trooper Basic Training Class and was commissioned on May 1, 1998, assigned to South Seattle. 
  • On November 15, 1999, she was appointed as a Problem Oriented Public Safety (POPS) Trooper and District 2 PIO. Her first day as PIO was the WTO Riots.
  • As a Trooper she received the Educational Excellence Award from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.
  • Monica promoted to RCW Sergeant on August 15, 2003, assigned to Bellevue.
  • In 2004, Monica was inducted into the Tacoma African American History Museum for her service to the community and her work with the WSP. 
  • She transferred to the Vessel and Terminal Security (VATS) section of the Homeland Security Division in Seattle on March 7, 2005.
  • On April 16, 2006, she was appointed to Public Information Officer with Government and Media Relations. 
  • Monica transferred back to Bellevue on June 1, 2007.
  • She was appointed to Detective Sergeant with the Internal Affairs Section on July 1, 2010.
  • Monica earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Evergreen State College in 2013.
  • On July 16, 2013, she promoted to RCW Lieutenant, assigned to the Field Operations Bureau Headquarters.
  • Monica transferred to the Executive Services Section on February 16, 2014. She then transferred to Field Operations Bureau on September 16, 2014, assigned to Tacoma.
  • On April 28, 2015, she promoted to Staff Captain, assigned to Government and Media Relations.
  • In November of 2017, Governor Jay Inslee appointed Monica to the Board of Trustees for Evergreen State College.
  • She received the 2019 Legacy Award from the National Black Police Association and Black Law Enforcement Association of Washington.
  • Monica transferred to the Human Resource Division on July 1, 2019.

Monica retired on August 16, 2019, after serving 22 years and 9 months with the Washington State Patrol. She is the first and only African American female to be promoted to the rank of Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain in the history of the WSP.