Information on State Trooper for a career

[Micah]

Okay, I will admit, that I am not one-hundred percent sure on whether or not this is the correct place to ask, I browsed these forums yesterday, reading a few things, and it appears more things are Military and the likes, rather than Law Enforcement, but I noticed a few mentions of Law Enforcement, so I guess it's okay to look for help here, if not, I do apologize.



So, my name is Micah, and I'm sixteen, and I'll be turning seventeen in August, and for a good two years, I've been interested, in becoming an officer, and the more I looked into things, the more I realized, I really respect what State Troopers do, and so I figured, I have about one year left of High School, I should look into this as a possible career, because I know it's going to be a tough challenge, I don't want to wait till after I graduate, and realize I didn't prepare, so I read up on it, and I'm still unsure about requirements, I want to be prepared as possible, and if anyone can help me out requirements wise, I'd appreciate it, I found a site, on Pennsylvania's State Troopers, and was looking at the requirements, and it just said the age limit, which is twenty or twenty-one before you're allowed to sign up, which gives me, those years for college, then it went on, to say about drug use is unacceptable, having drug use on your record, will basically be immediate failure, and then basically, the rest of the information told me two years of Law Enforcement for college, I'm just sorta para-phrasing things here for the moment because I don't have the webpage at work that told me all this, and the one thing that I can't seem to have a 100% clarification on, is the heigh requirement, I've been told there is one, and that I might be too short, because currently I am, around 5'6, maybe 5'7, and chances are, I'm not going to grow much more due to a short family in general, and so, if there is a height requirement, would I have to worry about that? Or should I find a new career to look into, because I won't make it?



So, as you can tell, I am obviously a bit confused on the entire process of actually getting this all to happen, and I considered contacting a Pennsylvania State Trooper recruiter, but that's when I found these forums, and figured I'd give it a shot before I tried contacting one. If anyone has some good information for me to use ,I'd greatly appreciate it, requirements, good tips, good colleges, I've been considering CCAC in Pittsburgh for college, but I know there is probably better, so anything really would be helpful, because I don't know if I need two years of ANY Law Enforcement, or two years of different classes, or even if I have to have a certian required one and etc. When I get home, I can post the link to the website, I believe it's Meganslaw some thing, but I'm not entirely sure.



Once again, if this is the wrong section, or if this doesnt'belong in these forums period, I do apologize, I wasn't entirely sure what these forums were 100% for.


Sincerely,
Micah

[Pickpocket]

A long and grueling search using the words "Pennsylvania State Police height requirement" in my secret decoder Google search bar and clicking the very first link that appeared revealed this gem (emphasis added to simplify the research portion of this exercise):

http://www.psp.state.pa.us/bhr/cwp/view.asp?a=435&q=153226&PM=1
The standards listed in this section must be met, but do not represent an all-inclusive list of the requirements.


Height - There is no minimum or maximum height requirement.

Hearing - Applicants must be able to pass an audiometer screening conducted by trained Department personnel.

Dental - Evidence of healthy gums and a full set of teeth, or satisfactory replacements, as certified by a dentist. Any deficiencies must be corrected prior to the beginning of training.

Vision - As certified by an Optometrist or Ophthalmologist, with all listed standards being met, with no exceptions:

* 20/70 or better in the dominant eye WITHOUT correction.
* 20/200 or better in the weak eye WITHOUT correction.
* 20/20 or better in the dominant eye with corrective lenses, if necessary.
* 20/40 or better in the weak eye with corrective lenses, if necessary.
* Normal color vision, depth perception, and field of vision.

Weight - There is no minimum or maximum weight requirement. Applicants who are able to successfully complete the physical fitness tests are deemed acceptable.

Concentrate on that 50m target, finish school, and don't do anything stupid.
The Pennsylvania State Police, like everyone else, has a recruiting department. When you're ready; call them.

This was an easy question to answer had you done the proper research. There is a lesson in that; learn it and it will serve you well.

Also, the period key is right next to the comma, and it is your friend.

Stay safe.

[Slim]

Holy crap! Good spelling, capitalized words, resonable punctuation (some run on sentances, but who's keeping track?)

You must be posing as a highschool student. No 16 year old can write like that.:D

j/k

I'm no LEO, and can't help you with any questions, but at least you understand how to write coherently.

[Micah]

Well, firstly, thank you Pickpocket, as much as I use google, it never came to me to type in "Height Requirement" over just "Requirements", it's a relief to know I'm not too short for the job, and thank you Slim for that comment. Haha.




So then, that just leaves mainly, school, any college suggestions? I have another hour and a half before I get off work, so I can't go through the entire site provided in about ten minutes before I have to get back to work. But anyone have any college suggestions, like, certian college courses to take, or training courses to look into?



Anyways, back off to work, thanks again for the information.

[Flying Pig]

Any cop that live in barracks and is called Trooper is just cool

[Flying Pig]

....

[TP2165]

www.psp.state.pa.us/psp/cwp/view.asp?A=2&Q=36872
If you don't mind leaving PA and want to get a jump on a career as a Trooper check out: http://recruiting.mdsp.org/cadet_frame.asp

[CV]

Micah,

Firstly, I am not Cop. But I see a lot in you that I saw in myself at age 16. Mainly, impecable grammar and social skills :D

I lacked focus at your age, always looking at the end goal. I never took time to look at the goals closest to me. Even today I struggle with this but have learned to adapt. Take the advice of the fine people here and take it one step at a time. After each step evaluate the next as it leads up to the goal.

In the Army when we were on 6-8 mile runs on Ft. Bragg, instead of focusing on the end, I would focus on various points. For example I would focus on making it 4 miles, then 6, then finish. This will help keep you from getting overstressed thinking about everything inbetween.

Remember, the majority of the people on these boards have mastered the ability take processes and go about them methodically and efficiently. You will do go to learn from everything they say.

I hope that helps comrade. Maybe a State Trooper will see this post of yours and make some comments.

[TP2165]

CV,
Maybe a State Trooper will see this post of yours and make some comments.
I already did.

[CV]

CV,

I already did.

oops :o

[low country]

Such focus at age 16 is commendable. You cannot become a Trooper until 20yoa. Believe me when I say that is a lot of time to get in trouble. Concentrate on good grades, keeping out of trouble and staying in shape. With the limited amount of openings, coupled with a great pool of qualified folks, a clean record will help you immensely. Forge ahead, but do not get discouraged. When I started out, I had more doors closed than opened, but stayed the course and have not done too bad. Even now, after quite a few years, doors are still closing as others open. Stay the course.

Be safe

[NMStater]

Such focus at age 16 is commendable. You cannot become a Trooper until 20yoa. Believe me when I say that is a lot of time to get in trouble. Concentrate on good grades, keeping out of trouble and staying in shape. With the limited amount of openings, coupled with a great pool of qualified folks, a clean record will help you immensely. Forge ahead, but do not get discouraged. When I started out, I had more doors closed than opened, but stayed the course and have not done too bad. Even now, after quite a few years, doors are still closing as others open. Stay the course.

Be safe

Get some schooling. I don't know about other agencies, but by statute all NMSP officers must have 60 credits within 2 years of commissioning. I'm behind the power curve on that. Still got 1.5 years, but that will go like a bullet. You've got 5 years or about that to groom yourself for that job. Don't jack it up.

Good luck,
Chris

[Flying Pig]

Live the dream...be a deputy

[grog18b]

Go to your local barracks, they will have an application packet with all the info you need. Visit our websites above, as all the requirements are there. There are also (these days) college boy credits needed, so when you graduate HS, you will have something to do (get your credits). Also, our job gives points for prior military. Main thing is to keep your nose (not literally) extremely clean. The polygraph eliminates a lot of people. Drug use is not a dis qualifier depending on times used. I would very highly recommend you don't mess with them. No one is perfect, and some things are expected during the test. Main thing is to not lie about them when you take it. If the test indicates deception, you will have problems. Good luck. 13.5 months and I'll be RETIRED.

[NMStater]

Live the dream...be a deputy
http://a254.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/2/l_10cb1c26d741619e790c77609db06dcd.jpg

Join the dark side.

I find it commendable that you want to be cop this early in your life. Trying to get good applicants is pretty hard. You have a great opportunity to make yourself stand above many. Coming in so young you don't have much of an established history behind you, so make it all count. Take as many advanced courses that you can. I know my department will pay incentive pay for having advanced degrees. Look across the nation. There are many great departments, don't just look at the closest one. All have their benefits and downsides. It's all about how much are you going to do to get this far. None the less, your primary focus should be busting your butt in school and getting good grades. Pay attention to the 25m target first.

[low country]

NMStater,
That is one hard corp pic!

[Gunpoint]

Is that some sort of WMD helmet?

[NMStater]

Is that some sort of WMD helmet?
No.. somebody thats better with photoshop than me made that.

[Micah]

Well, I hope everyone had a nice Memorial day.



It is quite nice to see so many positive replies, I appreciate them all, and a lot of the feedback is actually quite helpful. For example, CV, your advice is a nice remember, I find myself time to time, looking at checkpoints, not the finish line, and it really does help with motivation a lot, and I'll have to keep that in mind when I start running again. TP2165, thank you for the links, I'll have to look more into that, as for everyone else, well, I still thank you, but if I thanked everyone one by one, this post would get dragged out.


Still, I find a lot of this helpful, I'm proud to say I've never done drugs, and that I have no motivation to do drugs, especially because of this career. And that also, having a job, is a nice way to stay motivated, especially since I am flexible with my days, I can pick and choose what days to come in on, so I think, that because I do have the ability, the option to do that, it'll help me a lot with, pushing myself to GO to work even though I don't feel up to it. Which in the future, will help me keep, pushing myself as to not set a mental boundary that a lot of people seem to hold themselves down with, that I should be able to pass.

[saltfish]

I wasn't a trooper but I did my turn as a municipal cop in New Jersey and I'll tell you the NJ troopers have some pretty nice benefits. They are recruiting now and starting pay is $55,719.51 with $97,188.48 after 5 years. Plus if you do 25 years you get 65% pension and health benefits for life. You just have to put up with the long sleeve gestapo uniform :D

[FormerMarine0311]

State level benefits are almost always better than county, but LA County SD has a fairly attractive offer. That is, if you find LA County attractive. Expect to work the cell blocks for a few years before you get on patrol, but you have the chance to knock out some college work.
That's info from spring, last year when I looked at them.

[Slick0311]

State level benefits are almost always better than county

This all depends in what state your looking at. I ended up with a mid-sized municipal department because the total benefit package far outweighed our state's offering. Good luck in your search.

S.

[FormerMarine0311]

This all depends in what state your looking at. I ended up with a mid-sized municipal department because the total benefit package far outweighed our state's offering. Good luck in your search.

S.


Agreed. I did say Almost always. I do not currently have the commonly required BA or BS degree, although I am pursuing it. Therefore, I would not qualify for a few states I would work in. And I did not pursue state level because I found most of the southern Cal area departments offered some very attractive benefits. Of course, a lot of those officers/deputies switch jobs almost as much as contractors. I decided on a few years in the sandbox instead of a badge for now. I think it will be interesting to see how LACSD looks at what I am doing right now.

[heavyguns1/1]

check out www.nytrooper.com

[Flying Pig]

The Grey Riders........

Now thats a cool name.