Oregon State Trooper Training

The members of the Oregon State Police carry out a wide range of activities to provide safety to Oregon residents and travelers through the state.  In addition to enforcing the traffic laws of Oregon, they investigate crimes, enforce gambling laws, intercept drug shipments, and process tsunami debris.  Here are the steps you need to go through to get hired and trained as a State Trooper in Oregon.

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9 Steps to Become a State Trooper in Oregon:

  1. Meet the Basic Qualifications
  2. Submit your Application
  3. Pass Physical and Written Tests
  4. Oral Board Interview and Psychological Test
  5. Background Check
  6. Medical and Psychological Examinations and Updated Record Check
  7. Command-Level Interview
  8. Attend Pre-Academy Training
  9. Attend Trooper Academy for Training

Step 1. Meet the Basic Qualifications for Oregon Trooper Candidacy

Having a college degree will help you stand out during the application process, although this is not required.

To be considered for jobs as an Oregon State Trooper, you must meet certain requirements:

  • You must have an e-mail address.
  • You must be a U.S. citizen.
  • You must have a high school diploma or a GED equivalent.
  • You must be at least 21 years old.
  • You must have a valid driver’s license.
  • You must be healthy and be of good moral character.
  • You must not have had any felony convictions.
  • You cannot have had any misdemeanor convictions
    • For sex crimes, domestic violence, fraud, or moral turpitude.
    • Within the last five years
  • Your driving record must lack
    • Major traffic offenses or DUI diversions within the last 5 years
    • Felony or misdemeanor driver’s license suspensions within the last 5 years
    • Hazardous traffic violent convictions:  3 or more within the last 2 years
    • Careless driving conviction within the last 3 years
    • Alcoholic open container violation within the last 3 years
    • Class A traffic violation conviction within the last 3 years
    • Traffic violation convictions:  5 or more within the last 3 years
    • Driver’s license suspension within the last 3 years
  • You must not have used marijuana within the last 3 years
  • You cannot have possessed, sold, distributed, manufactured, or used an illegal drug within the last 10 years
  • You must not have been dishonorably discharged from the Armed Forces
  • You cannot have a convicted arrest record that violates OAR 259-008-0070 Not Eligible to be Certified Police Officer by the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST)

Step 2. Submit Your Application

You must apply online to become a State Trooper in Oregon.  You will be notified by e-mail at each step, such as the schedule of your test date.

Step 3. Pass Physical and Written Tests

You will have to pass both physical and written tests.

The pass/fail physical test consists of:

  • Push-ups
  • Sit-ups
  • 2 mile run

The written examination is timed and will test whether or not your skills match the standards of a twelfth grade education.  It includes

  • Mathematics
  • Spelling
  • Vocabulary
  • Reading Comprehension

If you fail any part of this testing, you can reapply at any point and be re-tested during the next test period.

Step 4. Oral Board Interview and Psychological Test

If you pass the tests for physical and written abilities, you will be granted an interview with several individuals.  If you pass this interview, you will then be given a series of psychological tests to determine if you are suitable to have a career as a State Trooper in Oregon.

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Once you are found suitable, you will be given a form to give your personal history.  You must complete this and return it within two weeks.

Step 5. Background Check

The next step will be to screen your test results and your personal history.  If you pass this screening, you will then undergo a background check.  You will need to provide a list of documents for the background check, including:

  • Sealed High School Transcripts
  • Sealed College Transcripts
  • College Diploma
  • High School Diploma
  • Birth or Naturalization Certificate
  • Evaluations from your last three jobs
  • Military Evaluations (your last three).
  • Divorce Decrees
  • Restraining Orders (all)
  • DD214 Military Release Form (copy)

You have the option of submitting copies of the following:

  • Resume
  • Recommendation Letters
  • Certificates of Accomplishment or Civic Awards
  • Commendation Letters
  • Training, Academic or Professional Certificates

You will also need to provide the information and dates detailed here.

Since it may take a while to assemble all this information, it is recommended that you start doing so ahead of time.

Step 6. Medical and Psychological Examinations, and Updated Records Check

Your whole application will be reviewed, including your testing and screening, skills and abilities, and the results of the background check.  If you are accepted following this analysis, and there are openings for State Troopers, you will be given a position as a Recruit Trooper.

At this point, you will undergo several examinations:

  • Medical, including Drug Screening
  • Psychological
  • Updated Records Check
    • Computerized Criminal History
    • Driving Record
    • LEDS (Law Enforcement Data System)
    • NCIC (National Crime Information Center)

You will also be fingerprinted at this point.

Step 7. Command Level Interview

If your application has been successful all the way through, you will meet with a Commander before your appointment will be finalized.  Your appointment must then be approved by the Superintendent.

Step 8. Attend Pre-Academy for Training

Your training to become a State Trooper in Oregon will start with 4 week or 186 hours of training for Oregon State Police.  This training involves

  • Communicating Verbally (16 hours)
  • Defensive Tactics (26 hours)
  • Department History
  • Firearms Training (40 hours)
  • First Responder Training
    • This 32 hours of medical training is just below basic EMT level
    • Fish and Wildlife Training
    • Payroll and Benefits
    • Physical Fitness
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Step 9.  Attend the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training

The next step in training to become a State Trooper in Oregon involves 16 weeks of training with county and municipal officers.  Some of the training you will receive includes:

  • Communications:  media, verbal, writing
  • Computer, LEDS, and other electronics
  • Crime Scenes/Investigations
  • Dispatch/Radio communication
  • Emergency/Terrorism/Disaster
  • Ethics
  • Intoxicants/Drugs
  • Law and Legal
  • Radar/Lidar

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