Would you rather be a State Trooper, or.....

[retdetsgt]

I have a lot of respect for our state police, but I never had a desire to be one. Mostly because I didn't want to work for someone who could transfer me all over the state. I worked for the largest police dept in the state and had just as many opportunities, but could never had to worry about having to be sent across the state, even if I took a promotion.

And too, although our state police is just that, a full service dept., I would have expected to have worked traffic full time for years and I never cared much for writing tickets.

[mcsap]

WHen I was testing to get hired...I ended up getting TWO offers on the same day. One from Pa State Police and the other from where I am now. The choice wasn't hard as having spent 4 years in the USAF and getting moved around a lot ( which I didn't mind at all) is different when you get married.

PSP will station you anywhere in the state they need you except the area where you are from for the first 3 years. After that, you have to apply when there is an opening to get back " home".

At my current PD, that isn't a problem.

[troysig]

My two cents is it depends which state it is, I dont know anything about Texas so I won't comment. But in AL I wouldn't be a trooper due to the fact they have less then 300 troopers in the WHOLE state, nearly all sheriff's offices do not due accidents so you are running around doing accidents, backups is far away and they'll call you to work counties away.

Now If you like their intimidating look find a department that uses their hats. We just got them:rolleyes: but when I went to a domestic last night and stared down on the husband with that hat things got a lot smoother:D .

[Welpe]

Welpe, where on Central Coast are you? I was stationed at Vandenberg last year before I got out. Wasn't to fond of Lompoc, Santa Maria was OK. I loved partying in Santa Barbara though I miss Cali!

I'm north of there. I sent you a PM. :D

[matt87]

My two cents is it depends which state it is, I dont know anything about Texas so I won't comment. But in AL I wouldn't be a trooper due to the fact they have less then 300 troopers in the WHOLE state, nearly all sheriff's offices do not due accidents so you are running around doing accidents, backups is far away and they'll call you to work counties away.

Now If you like their intimidating look find a department that uses their hats. We just got them:rolleyes: but when I went to a domestic last night and stared down on the husband with that hat things got a lot smoother:D .

Sheriff department here just changed uniforms, which look really nice. They also adopted the smokey bear hat, which isn't required to wear. It looks nice, but unfortunately the department doesn't have the same strict standards when it comes to weight/height ratio so some of the guys look a little silly when they wear one

[Nick0311]

I would have joined the Marines over the Air Force if I was into the uniform.

Haha, you should see me in Dress Blue Whites loaded up, with my badge its damn good looking intimidation.

[roadrunner]

I wanted to be a Trooper. I tried for my home state of Pennsylvania, and when that did not work out, I applied with Maryland. There are just too many applicants in PA. Both are fine agencies. I work out of a full service barrack where we handle it all in our county. Traffic, calls for service, etc, etc, etc.

[manahmanah]

maybe it's because I'm use to Air Force standards.

The air force has standards? :confused:

Just kidding :D

[ThaMan28]

Lol!!!!!!!!!

[enigma]

Well, everyone is different.. but I don't know if I could handle 95% of my job, writing tickets etc.

[Bearcat06]

Well, everyone is different.. but I don't know if I could handle 95% of my job, writing tickets etc.

And that's a lot of the problems some folks have with working for a State Patrol type agency.

I know some Troopers that moan and groan when they have to do a call for service......while other city type officers moan and groan about working traffic.

It's all what you want to do.......and are happy at doing....

[Shockwave]

And that's a lot of the problems some folks have with working for a State Patrol type agency.

I know some Troopers that moan and groan when they have to do a call for service......while other city type officers moan and groan about working traffic.

It's all what you want to do.......and are happy at doing....

What if you would like to do both? I would looove to do Traffic, but also like to answer calls. I hear the CHP Officers do both.

[Old Trooper]

What if you would like to do both? I would looove to do Traffic, but also like to answer calls. I hear the CHP Officers do both.

CHP ONLY does traffic related work!

NYSP does traffic and regular calls...many SP do. Most HP's are exactl;y that!

[Ken K]

CHP ONLY does traffic related work!

NYSP does traffic and regular calls...many SP do. Most HP's are exactl;y that!

Illinois State Police...just that. Handle lots of things. I've worked with their detective division. Unless they changed in the last few years.

Iowa State Patrol...traffic. Work major accident investigations but other crimes are handled by the DCI when invited by the local jurisdiction.

The name of the agency can speak volumes as to their mission.

[john2190]

CHP ONLY does traffic related work!

Old Trooper is correct that the CHP mainly does traffic; however, the CHP is also responsible for protecting state employees and owned/leased state property because of the CA State Police merger in 1997. So, in areas like LA and Sacramento, they do respond to a lot of calls at state facilities or involving state employees. But, I wouldn't join the CHP just for that, as it's a very small portion of their work.

-John