Recruiting & Community Outreach Division

RCOD

History

Trooper Career

Trooper Recruiting

Student Internships

Military Recruitment

Employee Benefits

Recruiting & Community Outreach Division

The Recruiting and Community Outreach Division personnel develop closer relationships with individuals, groups, and businesses in communities that may not frequently interact with the Patrol. Division members work hard to recruit qualified and diverse candidates for positions as troopers and for the more than 60 civilian career classifications within the Patrol.

A Career as a Trooper

Are you looking for a challenging career, duties that are never routine, and competitive pay and fringe benefits? If so, you may be interested in a career with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, one of the most highly respected law enforcement agencies in the country.

Duties of a Trooper

The primary duties of a Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper are to promote safety and enforce traffic laws for the motoring public. A trooper provides assistance to motorists, is responsible for investigating highway traffic crashes, and other roadway emergencies. Other responsibilities include assisting local law enforcement officers upon request, investigating crimes, and enforcing criminal laws. A trooper must work under all climatic conditions, is frequently required to drive at high speeds, subject to call at any time, and work schedules that change regularly.

Duties of a Marine Trooper

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is home to the Water Patrol Division and marine troopers who carry out the mission of the division. Once trained as a trooper, opportunities exist for a trooper to transfer into a marine trooper position. Marine troopers enforce boating laws and other criminal violations on the waters of our state in addition to serving those who use our waterways. Those assigned as a marine trooper receive an additional four weeks of Academy training and a minimum of forty days of field training under the guidance of a veteran marine trooper.

Testing

The selection process is a multi-phase testing procedure that includes written examinations, fitness for duty assessment, polygraph examination, comprehensive background investigation/review, and an oral interview. If given a conditional offer of employment, the applicant must successfully complete a medical examination (to include vision and hearing), psychological examination with interview, and drug screening test.
National Criminal Justice Officer Selection Inventory practice exams.

Training

Recruits receive approximately six months (1,200 hours) of intensive academic and rigorous physical training at the Missouri State Highway Patrol Law Enforcement Academy in Jefferson City. Pursuit driving, self-defense, cultural diversity, physical conditioning, arrest procedures, traffic law, civil law, criminal law, and accident investigation are some of the topics covered during the training period. Following Academy graduation, each officer must serve a three-month period under the guidance of a veteran Field Training Officer and a one-year probationary period.

Salary and Benefits

Salaries are dictated by the Missouri General Assembly. Starting salary of $53,328.00 begins the first day of recruit training. Fringe benefits include a competitive retirement plan and medical, life, dental, and vision insurances. Troopers receive 15 annual leave days, 15 sick leave days, and 13 paid holidays per year.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.