State Trooper Job Description

State trooper education requirements

The education requirements to become a state trooper will vary by state. Maine only requires their state troopers to have a high school degree before they can apply. Most states require candidates to have at least an associate's degree before they can attend the academy.

A degree in criminal justice or another related field would give you an advantage over other candidates, and will benefit your career as a state trooper. Criminal justice students take courses that focus on policies and laws, criminal investigations, criminal procedures, police supervision and criminal behavior. Students at the academy are taught about firearms, emergency response protocols, traffic control, self-defense, constitutional and state laws and civil rights.

Before applying to the academy, applicants should begin their physical training to meet the requirements. There are no certification courses required to be a state trooper. You have to have a valid driver's license in order to drive.

State Patrol Officers: Compensation, Benefit and Salary

State police officers are specialized in law enforcement. The duties vary according to job classification. State patrol troopers save lives by cracking down on speeding and distracted driving.

Police officers in state police agencies are more like police officers in the city or county. State police officers need strong analytical skills to investigate crimes and handle accident scenes. State police officers must communicate effectively.

If you want to be challenged and rewarded in an enforcement role that benefits society, a career in public safety is a good fit for you. State patrol officers are hired and trained to enforce public safety on the road. Lives can be saved if impaired and uninsured drivers are kept off the road.

The job of a state trooper is to educate motorists and participate in public information safety campaigns to prevent accidents. A typical day for a state patrol officer would include stopping and ticketing a driver who is driving 60 mph in a 55 mph zone. The trooper may help the stranded driver.

A distracted driver might be stopped by the trooper. State troopers can pull over a suspected drunk driver, perform a field sobriety test, and take the driver to a facility for treatment. State police departments can use aircraft, snowmobiles and ATVs to search for missing children, lost hikers or elderly adults.

State and Local Law Enforcement

In many instances, cases worked by a state division of criminal investigation become very high profile cases in the area. If the facts of the case are unusual or there is a special human interest story in the mystery, some will get state or national attention. The state division of criminal investigations has access to a high-tech crime lab and public relations professionals who deal with media inquiries.

All police officers have the same duty to keep the peace, whether they are a local cop or a state police officer. The primary duty of law enforcement at the local level or state level is the same, even though there are slightly different functions and ways of operating. You should check out each variation to see what interests you the most.

I am at The scope of the case, the area of investigation, and the capabilities of individual departments are some of the factors that can be used to decide who has jurisdiction. A lot depends on courtesy between departments.

Unless police can tie a ring of criminals to a single home invasion, they are not likely to investigate it. Local departments often handle isolated incidents. Most states allow all officers of the law to work there.

State troopers: A diverse profession

State troopers, also known as state police officers, state patrol or highway patrol, are law enforcement officers who work on a state level. They have different titles depending on the state they work in. State troopers only cover roads and highways.

State troopers work across a wide range of responsibilities, and are the bridge between local police departments and federal agencies. They protect the state property. State troopers provide vital support to search and rescue missions and disaster relief situations.

State troopers have a different day every day. State troopers spend their time patrolling state-owned highways and federal interstates, monitoring traffic and responding to calls for help within their jurisdiction. To become a state trooper, applicants must go through a criminal background check, pass a polygraph test, and clear any criminal activity that may affect their suitability for the role.

Academy training lasts around 24 weeks. Training can include lectures, demonstrations, and specialized training such as firearms. State training standards are high to hire people who can handle the diversity of the role.