MADISON, WI (WTAQ) – The Wisconsin State Patrol is now recruiting their next class of troopers.
Qualified candidates must pass physical readiness testing, background investigation, interview, and pre-employment medical and psychological exams. But applicants don’t need to know everything about the job going into it.
“It doesn’t have to be somebody who’s just looking to get into law enforcement. If you have no experience, that’s quite alright…We’re looking to hire a diverse group of candidates that are sharing the mission of serving and protecting citizens and visitors of our state,” said Sergeant Erica Ballweg-Larsen. “Our applicants have five years from their date of hire with the State Patrol to earn an associate’s degree or sixty college credits. You don’t need a college degree to join, you have five years to get those credits.”
Those accepted into the six-month State Patrol Academy at Fort McCoy receive a salary plus meals and lodging during their Monday to Friday training. Cadets learn from experienced officers with the goal of strengthening communication skills, self-confidence, physical and mental capabilities.
The State Patrol’s 67th Recruit Class will begin training on January 2, 2022 and graduate on July 1, 2022. Previous recruit classes have ranged in size from 25 to 50 cadets.
Upon graduation from the State Patrol Academy, cadets also receive 12 additional weeks of field training with a Field Training Officer and are based out of one of the five WSP regions.
“We are holding both virtual informational sessions and also in-person open houses at each of our patrol locations…We have ‘meet a recruiter’ virtual sessions that are every Tuesday from 11am-1pm. And we also have those from 5pm-7pm through July 6th,” Ballweg-Larsen told WTAQ News. “We’ll have troopers and inspectors that’ll be available to give a rundown of our current hiring timeline, share tips, and how to prepare for a career in the state patrol and answer any questions.”
You can register to participate via Microsoft TEAMS.
- Regional Post Outdoor Open Houses:
- May 20, 1 to 7 p.m. – Waukesha Post
- May 21, 1 to 7 p.m. – Wausau Post
- May 24, 1 to 7 p.m. – Sparta SWEF
- May 25, 1 to 7 p.m. – Eau Claire Post
- May 26, 1 to 7 p.m. – Fond du Lac Post
- May 26, 1 to 7 p.m. – DeForest Post
- May 27, 1 to 7 p.m. – Spooner Post
- Recruiters are also available for questions at each WSP post: https://wsp.wi.gov/Pages/Recruitment-Coordinator-Map.aspx
More information about careers with the Wisconsin State Patrol can be found on the WSP website.