NASHVILLE –- The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) is announcing it will soon begin accepting applications for the next Trooper Cadet Academy. Men and women interested in a career as a state trooper can begin the application process online only, beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, August 3, through 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, August 16.
The THP anticipates the agility test and interview appointments to begin mid-September, at the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Training Center. 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.
Legislation enacted 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 admitted 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’s license prior to class start date January 28, 2017, and are required to successfully complete a Level II background investigation, which includes a credit check and polygraph test. Recruits must also pass a psychological and medical examination, including a drug screening.
Those interested in and qualified for the position of state trooper should submit an employment application to the Tennessee Department of Human Resources. All applicants must apply online at http://agency.governmentjobs.com/tennessee/default.cfm beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, August 3. Applications will not be accepted after August 16. Once approved by the Department of Human Resources, applicants will be notified of their qualification status via email.
There are currently 621 authorized commissioned trooper positions within the THP. Trooper cadets will be assigned to vacant positions across the state upon graduation. The starting salary for a trooper cadet during the training academy is $2,859 per month.
Upon graduation and commissioning as a Tennessee state trooper, the salary will increase to $3,163 per month and include a pension plan, health insurance and paid holidays. Troopers are also provided a uniform, equipment and patrol vehicles. With regular pay increases, a state trooper can earn $56,412 per year after 10 years of service under the current pay structure.
For additional information on becoming a state trooper, visit 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.
The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s (www.TN.Gov/safety) mission is to serve, secure, and protect the people of Tennessee.
CONTACT: Megan Buell, Megan.Buell@tn.gov
Lt. Bill Miller, Bill.Miller@tn.gov
OFFICE: 615-251-5131