Highway Patrol Officer
How to Become a Highway Patrol Officer
Job Duties of a Highway Patrol Officer
Skills and Qualities of Highway Patrol Officers
Salaries of Highway Patrol Officers
Influential Professional Highway Patrol Officers
Leading Organizations for Highway Patrol Officers
Top Cities for Highway Patrol Officer Jobs
Other Careers of Interest
How to become a Highway Patrol Officer
There are many programs in criminal justice, police science, administration of justice, or public administration at colleges, universities and technical schools. Although a high school diploma is the minimum requirement, many agencies are looking for applicants who have completed at least a 2-year program or degree in this field. Beyond the education requirements, officers must be highly physically fit and pass a rigorous physical test as an applicant as well as ongoing periodic physical tests to continue to serve. In other words, many Highway Patrol Officers are subject to many similar, if not the same, requirements as other law enforcement officials and officers.
After law enforcement applicants pass a thorough background check process (which can take some months at times) and drug/physical tests, and in some cases and written and/or oral exam, the recruits undergo police academy training, which lasts up to 14 weeks. Some states, regions and cities and have one academy facility that serves a number of cities or a large geographic area. This is usually due to low population density in that area. During their 14 weeks, recruits cover a variety of subjects in classes in the academy, including the laws they are to enforce (of course), civil rights and constitutional law, investigation techniques, self defense techniques, fire arms use, handling and maintenance, some basic first aid procedures and emergency response protocol. Highway patrol work also includes a measure of administrative time, as documentation is very important in this line of work, so learning administrative procedure and proper paper work and forms procedure is also a part of the process.
After law enforcement applicants pass a thorough background check process (which can take some months at times) and drug/physical tests, and in some cases and written and/or oral exam, the recruits undergo police academy training, which lasts up to 14 weeks. Some states, regions and cities and have one academy facility that serves a number of cities or a large geographic area. This is usually due to low population density in that area. During their 14 weeks, recruits cover a variety of subjects in classes in the academy, including the laws they are to enforce (of course), civil rights and constitutional law, investigation techniques, self defense techniques, fire arms use, handling and maintenance, some basic first aid procedures and emergency response protocol. Highway patrol work also includes a measure of administrative time, as documentation is very important in this line of work, so learning administrative procedure and proper paper work and forms procedure is also a part of the process.
What does a Highway Patrol Officer do?
Highway patrol officers focus on the enforcement of motor vehicle laws, and usually have a set geographic jurisdiction in which they have authority. They are most often state police, and are sometimes called State Troopers, meaning their jurisdictional territory spans across cities and counties. As many of us already know and may be very familiar with, highway patrol offers hold authority to issue citations and tickets to drivers who are breaking the law. They also spend the majority of their time patrolling the highways and traffic venues to both prevent accidents and law-breaking. Sometimes they are able to do this simply by their very presence, the awareness of which has the effect of preventing accidents by spotting, pursuing and catching law breakers. They also assist in accidents, helping document the facts of the event and also giving testimony at trials and arbitrations involving vehicular accidents. Highway patrol officers do many other things, as well, like helping coordinate other emergency services at the scene of an accident, directing traffic, administering first aid, and assisting other law enforcement agencies when special needs arise.
What skills or qualities do I need to become a Highway Patrol Officer?
First of all, this job is looking for people willing to serve their country in a capacity designed to make the roadways a safer place. They are also interested in persons who wish to uphold motor vehicle and transportation laws. Officers must also be wiling and able to carry and handle a firearm. The job also requires a willingness to work various shift types as well as overtime. Communication and people skills are important, and so is an aptitude for investigation and deductive reasoning
How much do Highway Patrol Officers make?
In 2007 agents in similar fields made from $31,000 - $76,000+.
Who are some influential professionals in this field?
Almost every state has its own state highway patrol, highway patrol, state patrol or highway police departments. The commissioners of these departments would be considered to be the leaders in their field. For example, J. A. Farrow is Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol. Raymond W. Kelly is the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department Highway Patrol.
What are some leading organizations in this field?
National Sheriffs' Association
National Law Enforcement Recruiters Association
*See each state's own websites for more information about each particular state's department.
National Law Enforcement Recruiters Association
*See each state's own websites for more information about each particular state's department.
What are the top cities for Highway Patrol Officer jobs?
Because highway patrol officers are needed and employed in almost every state, and because departments are constantly hiring, there seems to be no one major city where there are a concentration of job opportunities.
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