Selection Process
Being selected as a trooper is a rigorous and in-depth process. Each step is listed, and all qualifications must be met before moving to the next step. Multiple trips to Meridian, Idaho, may be required to complete the selection process.
Application & Online Testing
Apply and test before the closing date listed in the announcement. Those selected for the physical fitness testing and oral exam will receive an email containing detailed information regarding testing dates.
Physical Fitness Evaluation
Applicants must complete and pass each event before moving forward. Failure, in any event, will end the process.
Oral Exam & Command Staff One-on-One Interview
Applicants will meet with Command Staff members to discuss their background and aptitude for employment as a trooper. Those selected will meet with a three-member oral exam panel.
Conditional Offer
A conditional offer will be made to selected candidates with final employment contingent on successfully completing all steps.
Background Investigation – Personal History Statement
Although an in-depth background investigation may seem intrusive to some applicants, it is designed to eliminate any possibility that prior life events will compromise professional conduct. The investigation addresses the following areas:
- Criminal History
- Education
- Employment History
- Financial
- Traffic Offenses
- Personal History Questionnaire
- PHS Instructions
Polygraph
The polygraph covers information provided in the personal history statement and qualification statements.
Medical Examination
A thorough medical examination includes vision and hearing tests and a drug screen.
Psychological Examination
Applicants complete an extensive written psychological assessment and an interview with a clinical psychologist.
Final Offer
Candidates are contacted with a final offer and discuss location assignment.
Standards
Physical Fitness Requirements
| PFT Battery | POST Miniumum | Critical Physical Job Task |
|---|---|---|
| Vertical Jump | 14″ | Measures explosive leg power – Critical for jumping obstacles, vaulting ditches, self-defense, and suspect apprehension. |
| 1-Minute Sit-ups | 15 reps | Measures abdominal muscular endurance – Critical for core stability, posture, dodging, self-defense, suspect apprehension, and minimizing lower back problems. |
| Push-Ups | 21 reps | Measures upper body muscular endurance – Critical for pushing, self-defense, suspect apprehension, and roadway hazard clearance. |
| 300 Meter Run | 77 seconds | Measures anaerobic capacity – Critical for short intense bursts of power, including foot pursuits, rescues, self-defense, suspect apprehension, and roadway hazard clearance. |
| 1.5 Mile Run/Walk | 17:17 minutes | Measures cardiorespiratory endurance – Critical for sustained foot pursuits, prolonged use of force, rescue operations, recovery operations, active shooter response, and minimizing the risk of cardiovascular health problems. |
Hearing
- Applicant must have unaided or aided hearing between zero (0) and twenty-five (25) decibels for each ear at the frequencies of 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz, and 3000 Hz.
Vision
- Possess binocular coordination that does not manifest diplopia.
- Depth of proficiency of at least one minute of arc at 20 feet to confirm the applicant possesses normal depth perception.
- Peripheral vision must be binocularly 200 degrees laterally with 60 degrees upward and 70 degrees downward.
- Possess a minimum of 70% proficiency on a color discrimination test.
- Have an uncorrected vision in each eye of no weaker than 20/200 – With the strong eye corrected to 20/20 and the weaker eye corrected to 20/60.
- Applicants wearing contact lenses are exempt from the uncorrected vision of 20/200 but shall have the strong eye corrected to 20/20 and the weaker eye corrected to 20/60.
- An optometrist or ophthalmologist shall administer a full eye examination to any applicant wearing glasses whose uncorrected vision in either eye is 20/150 or weaker.
- An applicant with uncorrected vision weaker than 20/200 must wear contact lenses on duty or request a waiver to wear glasses.