Highway Patrol Questions/Transferring Agencies Question

[Law Knight]

I am kind of debating whether I want to work for the South Dakota Highway Patrol or a local Police Department.

I would like to be a Trooper for several reasons. They are trained more and it is more paramilitary than the local PDs I have seen, they have their own squad car, and they have to be very physically fit and do a lot more PT than local departments which I would like. They just seem more professional which is what I would like better.

But I think I would miss calls to service quite a bit. I know I would want to help out other agencies quite a bit if I am not busy. I am also wondering how much a Trooper gets to actually assist other agencies with calls, if the Trooper is not doing anything else, and is willing to help out. Is that up to the Trooper’s Supervisors?

A lot of times I get responses like “Well, if you like working traffic than Highway Patrol would be the way to go.” The thing is, I wouldn’t be able to test out if I like doing traffic because I’m not an LEO and I have never done a traffic stop so I couldn’t know if I would like it or not. So, I’m guessing the only way to find out if I like the career would be to test it out.

Also, how often do you get to transfer to other areas as a Trooper? Like how long would you have to wait to get out of a really small area? The areas I want to be stationed in are Sioux Falls, Rapid City, and Watertown. But these areas are pretty large so I doubt I would get any of them when I first start. I would like to transer around as much as possible.


Transferring Agencies Question

What I am wondering is if it is common for State Troopers to transfer to local departments if they are not content with their duties and would like to pursue a different local agency.

The way it is here, a Highway Patrolman goes through 19 weeks of the regular Police Academy and then they go through an additional 10 weeks of training unique or emphasized for the HP’s duties. So, if you were a Trooper you could switch out to a different agency without any additional academy time from the way I understand it.

If I am not content being a Trooper I am hoping I could transfer to a local PD.

If you are a Trooper and you want to transfer to a local PD do you have to wait until someone gets hired to take your duty station first?

Thank you for your time and responses.

-LK

[SinePari]

Do a ride-along with the agencies you're interested in.

[normal1]

Better yet, apply for both and see who hires you.

Good luck!

[Law Knight]

SinePari, thank you for the advice and I guess that would be the only way to really find out.

normal1, thank you as well. I've got like 5 years to think about it though, until I am 21.

[SinePari]

SinePari, thank you for the advice and I guess that would be the only way to really find out.

normal1, thank you as well. I've got like 5 years to think about it though, until I am 21.

Well crap! I wish you posted that first, as my answer would have been finish school, stay off MySpace, don't get in trouble then worry about your "dilemma".

[Ispbear]

If South Dakota's Highway Patrol is set up like it is here, you should like it. Yes, my primary job is traffic enforcement and accident investigation. However, living in a rural area I have a chance of assisting other departments on a regular basis. Basically if it's something important is happening in a town, I'm going and they want my help. It's important to have a good relationship with the local PD's and SO's. They watch my back and I watch theirs.
The plus side is that I have my own ride, my pay is higher than any of the local agencies, and I don't have to go to barking dog calls, loud music, and all those other annoying calls the locals do.The down side is that your on you own most of the time with you closest backup being 15 min. away.
It all depends on what you like. I personally like being on my own and doing my own thing. I might get one call a day, the rest of the time I'm producing my own activity. If you want to live in a larger city expect more calls for broken down motorist and accidents than the rural areas receive.

[Law Knight]

SinePari, I will be sure to do that then and I don't use MySpace.

Ispbear, thank you so much for that post. If SDHP is like your agency, I think I would like it quite a bit. I just kind of hope I get to help out with a few calls from time to time but I wouldn't mind doing traffic stuff a lot.

[Big Sexy]

SinePari, I will be sure to do that then and I don't use MySpace.

If you do use Myspace, use it wisely. A "G" rating is a nice go by to utilize.

[Law Knight]

If you do use Myspace, use it wisely. A "G" rating is a nice go by to utilize.

I prefer to use Facebook over MySpace althoug many people I know feel they are the same. I can tell if I actually know the person sending me stuff on Facebook, and I'm not sure about MySpace but Facebook has some good privacy options you can activate. I only add people I am postive I know.

And when I am posting stuff on websites I always ask myself, "How would my Explorer Advisors feel about me posting this?" It has worked well so far.

[CelicaGuy]

Well start asking "What would my chief/Lieutanent/Sergeant feel about me posting this" because that is the way it is going to when/if you get hired.

[Law Knight]

Well start asking "What would my chief/Lieutanent/Sergeant feel about me posting this" because that is the way it is going to when/if you get hired.

It wouldn't make a difference anyway...

I value my Advisor's opinions and such as much as I would my future employers.