Pennsylvania State Police lift college credit requirement for prospective troopers
A college credit requirement has been dropped for prospective applicants to Pennsylvania State Police, a move that Gov. Josh Shapiro and leaders with state law enforcement believe will help a wider range of applicants qualify for the role.Shapiro (D) and Col. Christopher Paris, commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police, announced the move during a Monday news conference at the Pennsylvania State Police Academy in Derry Township.“Filling the ranks of the Pennsylvania State Police with women and men dedicated to serving the people of Pennsylvania is of utmost importance,” Paris said. “The elimination of the college credit requirement will open the door to a rewarding career for many who would make exemplary troopers but would not have otherwise had the opportunity.”After removing the requirement, cadet applicants must:Possess a high school diploma or GED certificate and a valid driver’s license from any state. Be at least 20 years old at the time of application, and they must be at least 21 years old and cannot have reached age 40 upon entry into the training academy. Cadets must be a Pennsylvania resident and possess a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license at the time of graduation.Shapiro and Paris said the 28-week instructional process to become a trooper means that when someone successfully completes the academy to become a trooper they will be well-trained and adequately prepared for the role.”Policing is a noble profession, and this is the finest law enforcement agency in the nation. We need to show those who want to serve that this door of opportunity is open – and we want you on our team,” Shapiro said.Applicants who meet all eligibility requirements move on to a qualifying written examination. Applicants who pass the qualifying examination must have a polygraph examination, background investigation, physical readiness test, medical screening, and psychological screening before training at the academy.Upon completion of the training academy, cadets are promoted to trooper and receive an increase in salary, currently set at $66,911 annually.
A college credit requirement has been dropped for prospective applicants to Pennsylvania State Police, a move that Gov. Josh Shapiro and leaders with state law enforcement believe will help a wider range of applicants qualify for the role.
Shapiro (D) and Col. Christopher Paris, commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police, announced the move during a Monday news conference at the Pennsylvania State Police Academy in Derry Township.
“Filling the ranks of the Pennsylvania State Police with women and men dedicated to serving the people of Pennsylvania is of utmost importance,” Paris said. “The elimination of the college credit requirement will open the door to a rewarding career for many who would make exemplary troopers but would not have otherwise had the opportunity.”
After removing the requirement, cadet applicants must:
- Possess a high school diploma or GED certificate and a valid driver’s license from any state.
- Be at least 20 years old at the time of application, and they must be at least 21 years old and cannot have reached age 40 upon entry into the training academy.
- Cadets must be a Pennsylvania resident and possess a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license at the time of graduation.
Shapiro and Paris said the 28-week instructional process to become a trooper means that when someone successfully completes the academy to become a trooper they will be well-trained and adequately prepared for the role.
“Policing is a noble profession, and this is the finest law enforcement agency in the nation. We need to show those who want to serve that this door of opportunity is open – and we want you on our team,” Shapiro said.
Applicants who meet all eligibility requirements move on to a qualifying written examination. Applicants who pass the qualifying examination must have a polygraph examination, background investigation, physical readiness test, medical screening, and psychological screening before training at the academy.
Upon completion of the training academy, cadets are promoted to trooper and receive an increase in salary, currently set at $66,911 annually.
https://www.wgal.com/article/pennsylvania-state-police-lift-college-credit-requirement-prospective-troopers/44929842 Pennsylvania State Police lift college credit requirement for prospective troopers
