The Massachusetts State Police is the oldest law enforcement agency in the United States, as it has been in service since 1865. The Massachusetts State Police, which consists of more than 2,000 sworn officers, provides public safety services to the Commonwealth, including highway safety and Homeland Security services.
If you want to learn how to become a Massachusetts State Trooper you must successfully complete specific steps, which include:
- Meet all minimum employment requirements for Massachusetts State Police jobs
- Apply for employment
- Take the Massachusetts State Trooper entrance exam
- Undergo a medical exam
- Take the Physical Abilities Test (PAT)
- Complete psychological testing and a background investigation
- Undergo an oral interview
- Complete State Police Academy training
Step 1: Meet all Minimum Employment Requirements for Massachusetts State
Police Jobs
Before you apply for State Trooper jobs with the Massachusetts State Police you should first ensure you meet all minimum requirements for employment. These include:
- You must be between the ages of 21 and 35.
- You must not smoke any tobacco product.
- You must have no felony convictions or drug law violations.
- You must be deemed suitable to possess a Massachusetts Firearms license.
- You must have a high school diploma or a GED.
- You must be a United States citizen.
- You must possess a valid Massachusetts driver’s license (upon your appointment to the Academy).
- You must be a resident of Massachusetts (upon your appointment to the academy).
- You must have no tattoos or body art visible in the Department’s summer Class B duty uniform.
Step 2: Apply for Employment
The Massachusetts State Police regularly posts upcoming State Police Exam dates on the State Police Recruitment page. The specific postings for Massachusetts State Trooper jobs are located on the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Administration and Finance page. You may also apply for employment through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ online job portal.
Upon completion of an employment application, and after the conclusion of the specified application period, all applicants will receive Notices to Appear, which include both the time and location of the entrance exam.
Step 3: Take the Massachusetts State Trooper Entrance Exam
The written examination for Massachusetts State Trooper jobs consists of three subtests:
- Written Ability Test (WAT) – Includes inductive reasoning, problem sensitivity, verbal comprehension, deductive reasoning, verbal expression, and information ordering
- Life Experience Survey (LES) – Includes questions on past history and work experience
- Work Styles Questionnaire (WSQ) – Assesses certain motivational, value-related, and attitudinal characteristics
The cost of taking the entrance exam is $100, which must be paid before the stipulated deadline. You will receive a confirmation email when the Department has received your application and another confirmation email when the Department has received your examination fee payment. There are no makeup test dates or accommodations made, except for stationed military personnel unable to attend the examination.
You can prepare for the written exam by studying the 2013 Police Officer and State Trooper Written Exam Preparation Guide.
Step 4: Undergo a Medical Exam
Before you can continue the pre-employment process and take the Physical Abilities Test (PAT) you must pass a medical examination. You can review the Medical and Physical Fitness Standards on the State Police website.
Step 5: Take the Physical Abilities Test (PAT)
Only those candidates who pass the written examination portion of the pre-employment process receive a conditional offer of employment and an invitation to the take the Physical Abilities Test.
The Physical Abilities Test (PAT) is a test that measures a candidate’s aerobic and physical capability. You must pay a $150 fee to take the PAT. You can prepare for the PAT by reviewing the PAT Preparation Guide.
The PAT includes the following:
- Obstacle course
- Trigger pull event
- Separation event
- Dummy drag
Step 6: Complete Psychological Testing and a Background Investigation
All candidates must undergo psychological testing before moving onto the oral interview phase of the pre-employment process.
Step 7: Undergo an Oral Interview
An appointing authority may conduct an oral interview with you before appointment to the Police Academy.
Step 8: Complete State Police Academy Training
All successful candidates are invited to attend Massachusetts State Trooper training at the State Police Academy in New Braintree, Massachusetts. You are required to live at the Academy from Monday through Friday during the training period.
Curriculum within the State Police Academy includes: firearms; self-defense tactics; criminal law; military drills; court procedures; ethics; community policing; and diversity awareness, among others.