State Patrol

[IrishFF70]

Anyone know when the State Patrol plans to hire again? I am looking at the LETO option - does anyone have any experience with that process? Does the MSP prefer/give priority to applicants that already have skills done or do they take some LETO and some skills applicants in each round?

[squad51]

From what I have heard the LETO is a done deal..they did it once and thats all. I also heard that they are probably not going to hire until 2011....but thats what I am hearing third hand from Troops I know.

[HCdetdep]

Correct we aren't planning on hiring till 2011. As far as I've heard from the Chief, they are still planning on doing LETO again. I wasn't LETO, but if you PM me Irish, I'll do my best to answer any questions for ya.

[Reedo]

If you're current LEO, would you have to go through the whole MSP academy if you transfered? Anyone know?

[LCM99]

If you're current LEO, would you have to go through the whole MSP academy if you transfered? Anyone know?

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure that everyone goes through the same academy, no matter what amount of experience they have.

[HCdetdep]

Correct, everyone goes through the same academy. We had numerous people who were previous LEO's.

[gopherpuckfan]

The academy 2 years ago was shortened for everyone. It was 9 weeks I think. Then, the troops had to go back up (or out to Arden Hills) a couple times during the year for more training. The Patrol got rid of that and went back to full academies.

[Sgt.Friday]

To those who have recently gone through the MN Trooper school, I was wondering if you can share what one can expect in general and what the daily schedule and PT was like and how much running,etc was done? I'm making a serious push for the 2011 class and want to be prepared as much as possible. Also, what was the interview process like?

Thanks for your help!

[ColdCase]

I have a few questions that I cannot find answers to

#1. Do all troopers have a take home squad or are they rotated through the troopers with your shift. For example you work Sun-Wed, do you have a take home for those 4 days or is it your personal car for every shift?

#2. Exactly how long is the training academy. I have seen posts that say 9 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks. I want to know specifically the time that is spent at Ripley.

#3. I see the starting wage for the trooper school. Does this vary depending on a lateral entry or does it depend on 70% of what you are offered no matter how many years you are bringing to the MSP?

#4. What is the likelihood of being assigned to the metro? Do most new troopers start here? Do you find out your duty assignment before you deploy to Ripley?

#5. I am interested to know how a shift runs. Troopers notify radio that they are available for calls and then as long as they are in their area they can do what they want? As long as the trooper is in their assigned area can they travel that whole area or are they focused on a smaller area within their area.

I think that is it for now. Thanks guys!!!

[WCSO]

#1. Do all troopers have a take home squad or are they rotated through the troopers with your shift. For example you work Sun-Wed, do you have a take home for those 4 days or is it your personal car for every shift?

The car stays at home with you and is assigned solely to you.

[gopherpuckfan]

My answers are in BOLD

#4. What is the likelihood of being assigned to the metro? Do most new troopers start here? Do you find out your duty assignment before you deploy to Ripley?

It is almost certain that you will start in the metro. Out-state trooper spots *usually* are in high demand by the more senior troops

#5. I am interested to know how a shift runs. Troopers notify radio that they are available for calls and then as long as they are in their area they can do what they want? As long as the trooper is in their assigned area can they travel that whole area or are they focused on a smaller area within their area.

Once you go "10-8" (usually from your driveway), you are free to travel anywhere in your district and do whatever you want. West Metro has smaller areas during day and afternoon shift, but it is a huge district for the night shift troopers. The squad laptops have GPS, so you can see where your partners are and who's closer to a call.

[The State]

2011, you heard from me.

[ColdCase]

More Questions:

What are the trooper’s schedules? 8, 10, 12 hour days? Rotating schedule? 28 day schedule? 3 on 2 off?

How much overtime is available on an average month?

Do troopers bid or at they assigned to a shift?

How many troopers are working in a metro district at one time?

Where do troopers complete reports, do they have an office somewhere? Work out of other police departments? Work in their cars?

[phillydog07]

Where do troopers complete reports, do they have an office somewhere? Work out of other police departments? Work in their cars?

I don't know a whole lot about the State Patrol, but I know they have quite a few offices. They even have a substation in the basement of a U of M dorm on the West Bank.

[gopherpuckfan]

My answers in BOLD

More Questions:

What are the trooper’s schedules? 8, 10, 12 hour days? Rotating schedule? 28 day schedule? 3 on 2 off?

Schedules, if I'm not mistaken, are determined by each district's supervisor (Captain, I think?). Pretty much what he wants, goes. West Metro's night shift is working something like 8 hour days (10 on, 4 off), or something similar.

How much overtime is available on an average month?

There's always MNPass, construction details, escorts, etc.. available. Do you have the seniority to *get* the OT? That's another question.

Do troopers bid or at they assigned to a shift?

Assigned after FTO while still on probation, but I believe you bid your shift after that point.

How many troopers are working in a metro district at one time?

I'm not going to give out numbers of what I know, but I wll just say "not enough"

Where do troopers complete reports, do they have an office somewhere? Work out of other police departments? Work in their cars?

They have district offices to do their reports at. They grab their laptop out of the squad and plug it into a docking station so they have a regular monitor, keyboard, and mouse to use.