Oklahoma Department of Public Safety

OKLAHOMA HIGHWAY PATROL
Career Information

Contact a RECRUITER

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol was created in 1937 and still today Respect, Professionalism, Self -Discipline, Loyalty, Honesty, and Integrity is what makes the Troopers of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. 

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol accepts applications all year, but usually only has one academy per year.  State law defines the minimum requirements and standards set forth.  Requirements are set by state law and cannot be waived.  The OHP can not take lateral transfers from other departments. 

The application process takes about 6 months after the deadline for the next academy.  During this time frame, applicants are contacted and given a test date.  The initial testing is composed of a physical agility test, a written test, and an Oral Interview Board.  Top applicants will undergo an extensive background investigation. Tentative selectees are given a drug screen, polygraph test, complete physical examination, vision test, and psychological evaluation.

Men and women accepted into the 17 week academy must reside in the academy dormitory in Oklahoma City and will be classified as OHP Cadets. Oklahoma Highway Patrol Cadets receive intensive training in subjects such as traffic and criminal laws, self-defense, firearms, emergency vehicle operations, vehicle stops, first aid, physical training, and public relations.

Oklahoma Troopers have the responsibility of patrolling primary and secondary roads, assisting motorists, investigating accidents, testifying in court, and aiding other police agencies.

If you are interested in applying for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, call toll free
1-866-659-9021
or send e-mail to OHPJOBS for more information.
For more information, submit your name, address, and phone number by e-mailing our Recruiting Division:

Oklahoma Highway Patrol - Official Recruiting Web Site

The 59th Academy is projected to begin February 27th, 2009

Requirements

Qualifications Age (by start date of Academy)
Minimum: 21 years
Maximum: 42 years (at the start of the Academy, can turn 43 after the start)

Education
An associates degree or a minimum of 62 successfully completed semester hours from an accredited college or university.  Military experience or law enforcement experience will not substitute for the required 62 hrs. or an associate's degree at this time.

          Effective July 1, 2010; educational requirements for academies after July 1, 2010 will be:
          Bachelor's degree
          or
          Associate's degree or 62 accredited college hours with 2 years in law enforcement or 2 years in the military.

Residency
Citizen of the United States of America

Required Documents
State of Oklahoma employment application
Birth Certificate
College or university transcripts indicating an associates degree or a minimum of 62 semester hours
Military DD-214 (if applicable)
CLEET certificate (if applicable, indicating current status as a full-time police officer)
Veteran's preference claim form (if applicable)       

Requirements are set by state law and cannot be waived.

Disqualifications

1.  Convicted 2 or more times for DUI, DWI, or DUID.
2.  Convicted of one DUI, DWI, or DUID within the past ten years.
3.  Charged with a DUI, DWI, or DUID within the past five years. 
4.  Driving privileges legitimately suspended or revoked within the past 36 months. 
5.  Convicted of 5 or more moving traffic violations on more than 3 separate
     occasions within the past 36 months.
6.  Any person ever convicted of a felony.
7.  Any willful or excessive omissions or falsifications.
8.  Any person ever convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.
9.  Any person has violated the Department of Public Safety drug policy. (See Below)

Time periods will be calculated based on the last day applications are accepted.
 

Definitions

 "Applicant" means any person applying to the Department for employment or
   reinstatement to employment or any person who has been ordered to be reinstated
   to any law enforcement position with the Department.

  "Occasion" means within one continuous 24-hour period.

  "Cycle" means one eight (8) week cycle of anabolic steroids.

  "Use of illegal drugs" or "sale of illegal drugs" means the commission of an act in violation of any provision of the Uniform
   Controlled Dangerous Substances Act, 63 O.S. § 2-101 et seq., as amended from time to time, or any similar law in any other state
   or federal jurisdiction, whether or not the violation resulted in a conviction.

  "DUI, DWI, or DUID"  Driving Under Influence, Driving While Impaired, Driving Under Influence Drugs
 

Drug Policy   01-2008

To determine whether you meet the Department's drug policy, please answer the following questions:
  1.    Have you used marijuana at all within the last 3 years?
  2.    Have you used marijuana more than a total of fifteen (15) occasions in your life?
  3.    Have you used anabolic steroids at all within the last 5 years?
  4.    Have you used anabolic steroids for more than five cycles after February 27, 1991?
  5.    Have you used methamphetamine at all within the last 10 years?
  6.    Have you used methamphetamine more than a total of five (5) occasions in your life?
  7.    Have you used any other illegal drug (including anabolic steroids after February 27, 1991) at all within the past 5 years?
  8.    Have you used any other illegal drug (including anabolic steroids after February 27, 1991) more than a total of five (5)
         occasions in your life?
  9.    Have you ever sold any illegal drug for profit?
10.    Have you ever used an illegal drug (no matter how may times or how long ago) while in a law enforcement or
         prosecutorial position, or in a position which carries with it a high level of responsibility or public trust?

If you answered "YES" to any of these questions,
you should NOT apply for the position, as they are immediate disqualifiers.

Assignments

All assignments are made at the discretion of the Chief of the Patrol.  Assignments are throughout the state of Oklahoma.

Application Process

State application information

     Fill out the online application and follow instructions to submit.  Make sure you have the required documents:  birth certificate, college transcript, DD-214 (if applicable), veteran's preference claim form (if applicable) and full-time CLEET certificate (if applicable):

Oklahoma Department of Public Safety
Human Resources Division
P. O. Box 11415
Oklahoma City, OK 73136-0415

     Human Resources will send you a letter to explain when and where testing will be.  Tests 1-3 will be conducted on the same day.  Applicants will also be required to turn in their Biographical Questionnaire that day.
 

 1.  Physical Agility Test
          A.  Sit-Ups (1 minute) - Minimum number needed to pass is 32.

          B.  300 Meter Run - Maximum time is :65 seconds

          C.  Push-Ups (1 minute) - Minimum number needed to pass is 23.

          D.  1.5 Mile Run – Maximum time is 14:15 (min/sec)

All events are pass/fail.  No extra points will be awarded for extra repetitions.

The physical agility test is based on Cooper’s Standards for Law Enforcement Personnel.
Each applicant must successfully complete each events in order to continue in the selection process.

 2.  Written Test - The test consists of reading comprehension, problem solving, mathematics, writing, and spelling. It also includes an assessment of personality characteristics such as interpersonal ability, assertiveness, stress tolerance, and ethics/integrity. This test must be passed with a minimum score of 70%.  Written test study guide (downloadable pdf).

 3.  Oral Interview - You will appear before an oral interview board consisting of three (3) OHP interviewers.

Biographical Questionnaire Download

Applicants must fill out a Biographical Questionnaire and bring it with them on their test date. 
This has to be done in order for the Highway Patrol to complete the background investigation. 
You will need the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader® which is available at no charge from Adobe's website.

 4.  Background Investigation - A thorough background investigation may be conducted on those who pass all three tests.

If you are chosen for further testing after background investigations are completed; an Executive Interview will be scheduled.

 5.  Executive Interview - with the Commissioner and Chief of Patrol.

If offered a position in the Academy, you will be scheduled for the following tests:

 6.  Polygraph Examination

 7.  Psychological Written Test - (MMPI and/or CPI)

 8.  Vision Test - 20/70 vision in worst eye uncorrected and 20/20 vision in each eye corrected. If you do not wear corrective lens, your vision must be 20/20 in each eye.

 9.  Psychological Interview - Will be given by a psychologist contracted by the Department of Public Safety.

10.  Complete Physical Examination - Will be given by a physician contracted by DPS, includes drug testing.

11. Orthopedic Exam - Will be given by a physician contracted by DPS.

Acceptance into the academy is contingent upon successful completion of all testing.

Travel to and from all testing will be at the applicant's expense.

Salary and Benefits

Pay Scale Effective 01-01-2007
Cadet Highway Patrolman (during the academy) - $33,192.00  or  $2,766.00/mo.
Probationary Highway Patrolman (next 8 months) - $35,514.00  or  $2,959.00/mo. plus $100/mo uniform allowance
Highway Patrol Officer (step 1) - $3,166.67/mo + $50/mo shift differential + $150/mo uniform allowance

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol Officers are currently on a 7 step pay increase.
Step 1 - $38,000.00 or $3,166.67/month (1st year)
Step 2 - $40,660.00 or $3,388.33/month (2nd year)
Step 3 - $43,506.00 or $3,625.50/month (3rd year)
Step 4 - $46,552.00 or $3,879.33/month (4th year)
Step 5 - $49,810.00 or $4,150.83/month (5th year)
Step 6 - $53,298.00 or $4,441.50/month (6th year)
Step 7 - $57,028.00 or $4,752.33/month (7th year)

Company Car Included along with
Handgun - Sig 357
Shotgun - Remington 870
Rifle - AR-15
Uniforms are furnished
Protective ballistic vest
Duty belt and leather for handcuffs, baton, and pepper spray
Rain and Winter coats
Plus much more.

Click here for more on the benefits package.

Miscellaneous information
Any applicant under CLEET obligation to a current employer will be responsible for any monies owed.

Mailing address
Submit all applications and necessary documents to:

Department of Public Safety
Human Resources Division
P.O. Box 11415
Oklahoma City, OK. 73136-0415

or send e-mail to OHPJOBS or call at 405-425-2165

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

Testing Procedures and Preparation

Each applicant must successfully complete each events in order to continue in the selection process.

  A. Sit-Ups (1 minute) - Minimum number needed to pass is 32.

            Testing Procedure

            • Start by lying on your back, knees bent, heels flat on the floor, with the fingers laced and held behind the head.

            • A partner holds the feet down firmly.

            • When the whistle blows, perform as many correct sit-ups as possible in one minute.

            • In the up position, you should touch your elbows to your knees or beyond your knees and then return until the                       shoulder blades touch the floor.

            • Do not hold your breath while performing sit-ups. Hips should remain on the floor.

            • Only sit-ups correctly performed will be counted.  There is a 1 minute time limit on sit-ups.

            • Any resting is done in the up position.

 B. 300 Meter Run - Maximum time is :65 seconds
            This will be a timed sprint on a standard track.

 C. Push-Ups (1 minute) - Minimum number needed to pass is 23.

            Testing Procedure

            • Start with hands placed approximately shoulders width apart on the floor and the elbows fully extended.

            • The back and remainder of the body should be kept straight at all times.

            • A helper will hold a four-inch measuring device, or a fist, under the applicant performing the push-up.

            • In the up position, the applicant will lower the body towards the floor until the sternum touches the device being                       held by the helper.  The applicant then returns to the up position which completes one repetition.

            • Only push-ups performed correctly will be counted.  There is a 1 minute time limit on push-ups.

            • Any resting is done in the up position.

 D. 1.5 Mile Run – Maximum time is 14:15 (min/sec)
            This will be a timed run on a standard track.  6 laps with time called out on each lap.

All events are pass/fail.  No extra points will be awarded for extra repetitions.

The physical agility test is based on Cooper’s Standards for Law Enforcement Personnel. 

Academy Life

Training is 17 weeks in length with Cadets living in a dormitory and boot camp environment during the academy. The Robert R. Lester Training Center is located at the Department's headquarters complex, 3600 North Martin Luther King Boulevard in Oklahoma City.  During the academy, expect to stay the first 5 weeks without a break.  After that, cadets usually get off Friday evening and required to report back Sunday morning.  These days off can be cancelled at any time, just as the real world.

This is a STRESS academy and strict discipline is adhered to at all times.  Some fail, but the rest will be call State Trooper.

Do not show up out of shape, you will fail.  Show up in shape from the recommended workout programs.

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