The Georgia State Patrol is looking for you, in a good way.
Anyone interested in a career with the state Department of Public Safety can take the first step later this month as the agency holds its last training class of the year.
Once hired, every recruit spends 33 weeks in trooper school where each is trained and tested for endurance and ability under pressure, said Lt. Paul Cosper, the state patrol's recruiter.
"It can be a long process," he said. "The dividends at the end of the road pay off, however."
No one gets rich in law enforcement, but that's not why people join up, he said. It's public service. It's also a career that comes with uniforms, a cool hat, a car, a complete benefits package and a starting salary of $31,474, according to the patrol's Web page.
The first step is taking and passing a general skills test, Lt. Cosper said.
Applicants must pass background checks, then there are physical examinations, polygraphs, personal interviews and psychiatric evaluations.
The training is tough because it has to be, Lt. Cosper said. Once on the road, a trooper is basically on his own, he said.
"It takes a special person to do this job," Lt. Cosper said. "Those hats come in all sizes, but they just don't fit everyone."
To be a trooper, a person must be at least 21 years old by graduation, have at least a high school diploma or GED and be a U.S. citizen.
There are 750 troopers on the state roads. In addition, the patrol has a motor carrier compliance division to enforce commercial vehicle safety, Capitol police who provide security for state government offices, safety education officers to talk to children about safety, officers who oversee the private DUI schools, officers who ensure the Breathalyzers function properly, a SWAT team to react in emergencies and a specialized collision reconstruction team.
That last team was created after troopers attended a meeting with prosecutors who complained about the difficulty in prosecuting people involved in crashes, Lt. Cosper said. The conviction rate soared with the team's help, he added.
All troopers are now going through new training to help them react immediately and effectively if, for example, a Virginia Tech-type tragedy occurs, Lt. Cosper said.
To learn more and download an application form, go to the patrol's Web site: www.georgiastatepatrol.com and click on "upcoming trooper exams.
The test will be given in Augusta on May 24 at 1 p.m. at Augusta Technical College, ITC Building, 3200 Augusta Tech Drive. Applicants should get there early, bring the completed application form and a valid picture ID, Lt. Cosper said.
The next trooper school for 50 to 70 recruits should be in January.
Reach Sandy Hodson at (706) 823-3226 or sandy.hodson@augustachronicle.com.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The Georgia State Patrol physical fitness requirements that everyone must pass:
Men, ages 20-29: Run 1.5 miles in 12 minutes 51 seconds; do 29 push-ups without stopping; bench-press 99 percent of body weight; while seated on floor with legs straight out in front, reach fingertips 16.5 inches toward toes; and do 38 sit-ups in one minute.
Women, ages 20-29: Run 1.5 miles in 15:26; do 23 push-ups without stopping; bench-press 59 percent of body weight; while seated on floor with legs straight out in front, reach fingertips 19.3 inches toward toes; and do 32 sit-ups in one minute.
Men ages, 30-39: Run 1.5 miles in 13:36; do 24 push-ups without stopping; bench-press 88 percent of body weight; while seated on floor with legs straight out in front, reach fingertips 15.5 inches toward toes; and do 35 sit-ups in one minute.
Women, ages 30-39: Run 1.5 miles in 15:57; do 19 push-ups without stopping; bench-press 53 percent of body weight; while seated on floor with legs straight out in front, reach fingertips 18.3 inches toward toes; and do 25 sit-ups in one minute.
Men, ages 40-49: Run 1.5 miles in 14:29; do 18 push-ups without stopping; bench-press 80 percent of body weight; while seated on floor with legs straight out in front, reach fingertips 14.3 inches toward toes; and do 29 sit-ups in one minute.
Women, ages 40-49: Run 1.5 miles in 16:58; do 13 push-ups without stopping; bench-press 50 percent of body weight; while seated on floor with legs straight out in front, reach fingertips 17.3 inches toward toes; and do 20 sit-ups in one minute.
Men ages 50-59: Run 1.5 miles in 15:26; do 13 push-ups without stopping; bench-press 71 percent of body weight; while seated on floor with legs straight out in front, reach fingertips 13.3 inches toward toes; and do 24 sit-ups in one minute.
Women, ages 50-59: Run 1.5 miles in 17:55; do 12 push-ups without stopping; bench-press 44 percent of body weight; while seated on floor with legs straight out in front, reach fingertips 16.8 inches toward toes; and do 14 sit-ups in one minute.
icon.
