State Trooper

The Florida Highway Patrol is the finest state law enforcement agency in the nation and we provide the highest level of professional law enforcement services available. We hold both National and State law enforcement accreditation. Using a comprehensive education and enforcement plan we promote safety throughout Florida.

The FHP actively enforces the State’s criminal, traffic, motor vehicle and driver’s license laws. State Troopers are motivated, hard-working law enforcement officers specializing in traffic safety. Our women and men patrol Florida using state–of-the-art training, equipment, technology and resources to enhance our abilities.

We have many exciting career and promotional opportunities. Troopers with two years of experience are eligible for specialty positions such as contraband interdiction officer, criminal investigations, dignitary protection, DUI patrol, Instructor, motorcycle patrol, occupant protection specialist, recruitment officer, pilot, public affairs officer, special response team, K-9 handler, plus many more.

Troopers with five years of experience are eligible to promote to supervisory positions.

Minimum Qualifications: United States Citizen – High School graduate or equivalent – Minimum of 19 years old at time of application (no maximum age restriction) – Valid driver’s license – Willing to accept an initial assignment anywhere in Florida.

One of the following – One year of law enforcement experience (sworn or non-sworn); Two years of public contact experience; Two years of active continuous U.S. military service with an honorable discharge; Completed 30 semester or 45-quarter hours of college credit from an accredited college or university.

Minimum Physical Requirements: Weight in proportion to height (see weight chart here) – Vision correctable to 20/30 in each eye with 140-degree field of vision – Normal color distinguishing capabilities – Successfully complete Physical Abilities Test – Medical exam.

Selection Process: The FHP selection process takes four to eight months to complete. Steps in the selection process include 1. A completed State of Florida Employment Application; 2. Physical Abilities Test and Written Exam; 3. Polygraph Exam; 4. Psychological Exam; 5. Medical Exam; 6. Vision Exam and 7. Background Investigation.

All out of state applicants are required to make three trips to Florida to complete the selection process.

Benefits: Paid vacations, holidays, sick leave and military leave. Extensive Health and Life insurance options, deferred compensation plan, non-contributory retirement plan, and education salary incentive pay. All uniforms and an annual cleaning allowance, equipment and weapons are provided. Members are also afforded a take-home patrol car privilege.

Academy: We provide paid training at the FHP training academy located just outside Tallahassee, Florida. The training curriculum is physically demanding and regimented in a para-military format. All recruits participate in physical conditioning exercises each day. The FHP provides lodging, meals and study materials for each recruit Trooper during academy training. Recruits are required to reside at the academy during training, they may leave each weekend. All recruits will purchase their own training uniforms and physical training equipment.

Duty Assignments: Duty assignments are determined based upon position availability and agency needs. The Patrol Bureau’s primary functions are enforcing the State’s criminal, traffic, motor vehicle and driver licensing laws that regulate the flow of traffic. Assist motorists, perform motor vehicle inspections and investigate traffic crashes. Troopers detect and apprehend impaired drivers and search for missing and wanted persons. Investigators work driver license fraud, identity theft and odometer fraud cases. Candidates may be assigned a duty assignment located throughout the State of Florida. Candidates will be given their duty assignments prior to entering the academy.

Basic Recruit Curriculum: All new Troopers complete an approximate 28-29 week training academy. This training is required to take the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission Law Enforcement Exam. New recruits without law enforcement experience and/or Florida Law Enforcement Certification attend the Basic Recruit Academy.

Transitional Curriculum: A ten-week transitional academy is offered for Florida certified law enforcement officers. The training curriculum is physically demanding and regimented in a para-military format. All recruits participate in physical conditioning exercises each day. The FHP provides lodging, meals and study materials for each recruit Trooper during academy training. Recruits are required to reside at the academy during training and they may leave most weekends. All recruits will purchase their own training uniforms and physical training equipment.

Lateral Recruit Curriculum: A four-week lateral academy is offered for applicants who maintain an active law enforcement certification with at least two years of patrol activities. The training consists of policy, law, and agency-specific training in an in-service style format. Recruits will learn about the tradition of the Florida Highway Patrol during this expedited academy course. The FHP provides lodging and meals for each recruit Trooper during academy training. All recruits participate in physical conditioning exercise each morning. Recruits are required to reside at the academy during training and they may leave most weekends. Out-of-state applicants must first pass an Equivalency of Training course.

Out-of-state equivalency: Out-of-state law enforcement officers must obtain their Florida Law Enforcement Certification prior to entering the Transitional or Lateral Academies. Information is available at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s website.

Salary Information

$54,075 annually

• $5,000 bonus for those not certified in Florida. For more information, visit the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s website and click on the Florida Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Payment Program tab.

Additional Salary based on area of assignment:

• $5,000 annually if working in the following counties: Broward, Dade, Monroe, or Palm Beach (Competitive Area Differential Salary)
• $5,000 annually if living and working in the following counties: Alachua, Baker, Brevard, Charlotte, Clay, Collier, Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Hillsborough, Indian River, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Nassau, Lee, Osceola, Orange, Pasco, Pinellas, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie or Volusia (Critical Market Pay Salary)
• $8,000 if living and working in Monroe County (Combination of Competitive Area Differential and Critical Market Pay Salaries)

Contact the Recruitment Coordinator

Florida Highway Patrol
850-617-2315
Email at BeaTrooper@flhsmv.gov

The Florida Highway Patrol is a division of the Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles. We are an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or the People First Service Center (1-877-562-7287). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, eligible veterans and spouses of veterans will receive preference in employment and are encouraged to apply. For applicants claiming Veterans’ Preference, please attach your supporting documentation (e.g.: DD form 214 Member Copy #4) when you apply for a vacancy. Applicants may also fax their supporting documentation to People First at 1-888-403-2110 by the closing date.