The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is pleased to announce that we are accepting applications for the 71st Academy, which will be a lateral academy. The application process is currently open and applications will be accepted through November 3.
The lateral academy is open to any current, CLEET-certified law enforcement officer with at least two years of experience. This is open to Oklahoma law enforcement officers as well as law enforcement officers in other states. The new college requirement passed in the last legislative session potentially means a law enforcement officer with at least three years of experience applying for this academy can apply with zero college credit hours. The amended statute allows candidates to apply with only 23 college credit hours and then obtain the other 39 during the academy through a partnership with OSU/OKC. Another amended statute allows candidates to convert one year of law enforcement experience into ten hours of college credit, up to three years.
“We are excited to offer this opportunity to law enforcement officers around the country,” said DPS Commissioner Tim Tipton. “Oklahoma is a law enforcement friendly state and a great place to work and raise a family.”
“The Governor and legislature also just gave a 30% pay raise to Oklahoma state troopers, making our pay competitive with other states and other agencies in Oklahoma,” said OHP Chief Pat Mays. “And the new college education requirements also make the path simpler than ever to become an Oklahoma State Trooper.”
The 71st Academy will begin on March 29, 2023 and will run approximately 13 weeks in length with a graduation date of June 28, 2023.
Anyone interested in applying can fill out an application and learn more about the requirements at ohp.ok.gov.
OHP has recently updated the physical fitness test. Candidates will perform a 500 meter row, 40 air squats, 30 sit-ups, 20 push-ups and a one mile run. There is also the option of doing up to ten bonus pull-ups for 3 seconds per pull-up taken off the total time. The entire fitness test (including a mandatory 5 minute rest) must be completed in 22 minutes or less.
Cadets reside at the academy, located at the Robert R. Lester Training Center, 3600 N. Martin Luther King Blvd. in Oklahoma City, for the duration of the academy.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol academy is very structured. During academy training, cadets will be challenged academically, physically, and mentally. A typical day begins with physical training, drill and ceremony, and inspections, prior to the classroom instruction. The evening hours are used for course studies, assignment completions, practical exercises, and preparation for the following day. The workdays for cadets vary from 12 to 18 hours. Cadets going into an academy are strongly encouraged to be in top physical condition. This will assist them in achieving the success of completion.
 |
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.