2 answers
Jacob
Student
Michigan, MI
1
Question
Asked
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What are some good tips to becoming a state trooper after the military?
What should I research or start doing routinely to accomplish this?
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2 answers
Herbert Webber
Police Sergeant (retired)
10
Answers
Roseville, California
Updated
Herbert’s Answer
As someone who took the same path as you are taking:
If you have discharged or are about to discharge, enroll in college.
Start taking Administration of Justice or Criminal Justice courses. Start using that GI Bill/ College fund money and go to community college first. Mix the Justice courses with lower division general education. It will be cheaper than a state university and you can always transfer to a "4 year university" after you do your 2 year stint in community college and get an AA degree. This will give you a taste of the academic side of things (report writing, case law, history of law enforcement, chain of custody, crime scene processing....) Once you get your AA you can try to get hired or continue with the Bachelors degree.
Another benefit of having a degree is giving you a boost in the department in the form of education incentive pay as well as getting your Advanced POST certificate that much quicker.
Ride alongs are another thing. Don't just roll with the State Troopers, check out other departments. Ask questions. The only dumb ones are questions you don't ask. There are some college professors that require you to do a ride along as part of their course.
Are you good at interviewing? In my case I applied to multiple agencies (at least 10 before I was hired with my department) I got plenty of practice taking written exams, doing interviews, filling out background investigation packets, and conducting physical agility tests. It definitely helped me in being less nervous during interviews. (Oh that reminds me. If you are able, please ask officers who are involved in the interview process what questions to expect and what would be the best answer and why. I have been on an interview board before as an officer and some of the answers were....entertaining , but lacking in common sense. )
That is all I can think of for right now.
I wish you luck in your journey.
If you have discharged or are about to discharge, enroll in college.
Start taking Administration of Justice or Criminal Justice courses. Start using that GI Bill/ College fund money and go to community college first. Mix the Justice courses with lower division general education. It will be cheaper than a state university and you can always transfer to a "4 year university" after you do your 2 year stint in community college and get an AA degree. This will give you a taste of the academic side of things (report writing, case law, history of law enforcement, chain of custody, crime scene processing....) Once you get your AA you can try to get hired or continue with the Bachelors degree.
Another benefit of having a degree is giving you a boost in the department in the form of education incentive pay as well as getting your Advanced POST certificate that much quicker.
Ride alongs are another thing. Don't just roll with the State Troopers, check out other departments. Ask questions. The only dumb ones are questions you don't ask. There are some college professors that require you to do a ride along as part of their course.
Are you good at interviewing? In my case I applied to multiple agencies (at least 10 before I was hired with my department) I got plenty of practice taking written exams, doing interviews, filling out background investigation packets, and conducting physical agility tests. It definitely helped me in being less nervous during interviews. (Oh that reminds me. If you are able, please ask officers who are involved in the interview process what questions to expect and what would be the best answer and why. I have been on an interview board before as an officer and some of the answers were....entertaining , but lacking in common sense. )
That is all I can think of for right now.
I wish you luck in your journey.
Michael Branham
Retired 40 plus years Officer to Chief (Director/Constable, as well).
31
Answers
Peoria, Arizona
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Sgt Webber gave a great answer! In addition, ask working officers you see out and about if they were in the Military before entering the career field and if so what their MOS (Military Occupational Specialty or job code) was and did it help them develop specific skills that gave them an advantage at application/testing time. Military vets frequently make some of the best candidates for public safety positions based on the ability to learn to make commitments and keep them, be team oriented and be "squared away" ( for fun google that phrase).
Additionally, many agencies give extra points toward hiring if you have served in any of the branches and they should.
Great Question and Best Wishes!
Additionally, many agencies give extra points toward hiring if you have served in any of the branches and they should.
Great Question and Best Wishes!