The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) is accepting applications for an August 2017 trooper cadet class. If you are looking for a career that affords you opportunities to achieve your goals, then the THP is where you belong. It is a multi-faceted, full-service, statewide law enforcement agency that has numerous divisions that are guaranteed to interest the participant.
This is an extremely positive and exciting time to be a member of an elite law enforcement agency. The agency continues to grow in size, and prides itself on professionalism and respect within the law enforcement community. In 2016, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) named the THP as the First Place winner in the Highway Patrol/State Police Agency category consisting of 501-1500 troopers in the nation. Additionally, THP received two awards for traffic incident management and technology. THP is internationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).
The training division will challenge and prepare one for the real life scenarios that one will experience as a trooper. Our training is Peace Officer Standards Training Commission (POST). Additionally, the training that one will receive from the training curriculum is transferable as college credit hours. Officials also provide one the opportunity to attend numerous law enforcement training classes to obtain specialty skills such as crash reconstruction, drug recognition expert (DRE), instructor development and more.
Daily services performed by a Tennessee state trooper: Assisting the public, enforcement of criminal and traffic laws, saving lives, traffic enforcement, motorcycle traffic patrol, crash investigation, crash reconstruction, criminal interdiction, criminal investigations, identity crimes investigations, special operations and tactical duties, K-9 handling, diving, aviation, executive protective services, bomb squad, and much more.
Men and women interested in a career as a Tennessee state trooper must apply online Thursday, April 27, through 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, May 9. Individuals interested in applying for the position of state trooper must be at least 21 years old, a U.S. Citizen and have a high school diploma or equivalent. No applicants with felony convictions will be considered.
One can apply online at http://agency.governmentjobs.com/tennessee/default.cfm. Once approved by the Department of Human Resources, applicants will be notified of their qualification status via email. THP anticipates the agility test and interview appointments to begin May 22 through 26, at the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Training Center.
“I am more excited today about the opportunities our troopers have to succeed compared to those when I joined the THP,” said Colonel Tracy Trott. “It is not a secret that law enforcement has been faced with difficult challenges. However, we train and prepare our troopers to do their job professionally and ethically. As I have stated before, our troopers make Tennessee a safe state to work, live and play by putting highly trained personnel on Tennessee roadways.”
Legislation implemented in October 2012, called the Tennessee Excellence, Accountability and Management Act (TEAM Act) revised the hiring method to incorporate an interview process that tests an applicant’s knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies. As a result, selected applicants will be required to successfully pass the physical agility test prior to being selected for an interview. There is no longer an examination portion to qualify for the state trooper position.
If hired, individuals must obtain a valid Tennessee driver license prior to the class start date of Sunday August 27, 2017. Candidates are required to successfully complete a level II background investigation which includes a credit check and polygraph test. Recruits must pass a psychological and medical examination including a drug screening.
There are currently 921 authorized commissioned trooper positions within the THP. Upon graduation, trooper cadets will be assigned to vacant positions across the state. The starting salary for a trooper is $38,208 annually with an annual 4.5% statutory step raise for the first 10 years. With regular pay increases, a state trooper can earn $56,784 per year after 10 years of service under the current pay structure. Pay may also increase if you are promoted within the THP.
The position also includes a pension plan, health insurance, overtime pay and paid holidays. Troopers are also provided with winter and summer uniforms, equipment, weapons (2 Glock pistols, 1 AR-15 and 1 shotgun,) as well as a patrol vehicle.
For additional information on becoming a state trooper, visit the website at http://www.tn.gov/safety/article/trpqualifications.
For more information about applications, interested individuals are encouraged to contact the Tennessee Department of Human Resources Applicant Services Division at 615 741-4841.