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A Career as a Trooper

Are you looking for a challenging career? Duties that are never routine? Good pay and fringe benefits? You may be interested in a career with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, one of the most highly respected law enforcement agencies in the country.

Duties of a Trooper

The primary duties of a Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper are to promote safety and enforce traffic laws for the motoring public. A trooper provides assistance to motorists and is responsible for investigating highway traffic crashes and other roadway emergencies. Other responsibilities include assisting local peace officers upon request, investigating crimes, and enforcing criminal laws. A trooper must work under all climatic conditions and is frequently required to drive at high speeds. Work schedules change regularly, and officers are subject to call at any time.

Testing

The selection process is a multi-phase testing procedure that includes written examinations, fitness for duty assessment, polygraph examination, comprehensive background investigation/review, and an oral interview. If given a conditional offer of employment, the applicant must successfully complete a medical examination (to include vision and hearing), psychological examination with interview, and drug screening test.

Training

Recruits receive approximately six months (1,200 hours) of intensive academic and rigorous physical training at the Missouri State Highway Patrol Law Enforcement Academy in Jefferson City. Pursuit driving, self-defense, cultural diversity, physical conditioning, arrest procedures, traffic law, civil law, criminal law, and accident investigation are some of the topics covered during the training period. Following Academy graduation, each officer must serve a three-month period under the guidance of a veteran Field Training Officer and a one-year probationary period.

Salary and Benefits

Salaries are dictated by the Missouri General Assembly. Starting salary for a Probationary Trooper is $35,352 annually. Paid life and medical insurance, as well as paid retirement, are among the available fringe benefits. Officers receive at least 15 vacation days and 11 paid holidays per year. Sick leave accumulates at a rate of ten hours per month.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is an Equal Opportunity Employer