The Idaho State Police selects the best individuals to serve the public across Idaho. The details below outline the prerequisites and disqualifiers for employment.
Joining ISP isn’t just about securing a job; it’s about embarking on a journey of excellence. Serve with us.
Minimum Requirements:
- Be a citizen of the United States.
- Graduate of an accredited high school or GED equivalent.
- Minimum of twenty-one (21) years of age.
- Possess a valid driving license from their state of residence and qualify for an Idaho driver’s license.
- Fingerprint clearance by the ISP Bureau of Criminal Identification and the FBI. A conviction or withheld judgment for any local, state, or federal crime may be grounds for rejection.
- Complete a background investigation.
- Successfully complete a polygraph examination.
- Meet the ISP Drug Policy Requirements.
Additional qualification(s) as noted in the posted job announcement.
Disqualifiers:
Several factors may disqualify interested applicants from working for ISP. Do not apply if you:
- Have any felony conviction;
- Have any misdemeanor conviction within five (5) years of your application date;
- Have ever been decertified as a peace officer in any state or jurisdiction;
- Have been given any of the following Military Discharges: Bad Conduct Discharge (BCD), Dishonorable Discharge (DD), or Administrative Discharge other than Honorable (OTH);
- Do not meet the requirements of the Idaho State Police Drug Policy; or
- Have ever been fired from a job, with just cause, for any of the following reasons:
- Theft of company property;
- Misuse of company or department finances;
- Falsification of time reporting or other official documents;
- Sick leave abuse (use of sick time in violation of applicable laws, rules and procedures);
- Drug or alcohol use that negatively affected job performance; or
- Committing any form of illegal harassment.
For ISP employment, a conviction entails pleading guilty or being found guilty, regardless of the judgment form or withheld judgment. Rarely considered, requests to waive any listed disqualifications mandate written approval from the ISP Director.
ISP Drug Policy
ISP does not consider for employment, nor accept as a volunteer, any person who has:
- Used or possessed within the 5 years immediately preceding application for ISP employment: LSD, PCP, heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, or designer drugs (e.g., ecstasy, synthetic cathinone, their chemical derivatives and synthetic equivalents, etc.); if the use was before 5 years preceding employment application, the following factors would be considered:
(1) the frequency of the behavior;
(2) the quantity of drugs involved; and
(3) the type of drug; - Used or possessed within the 3-year period immediately preceding application of ISP employment: marijuana, inhalants (huffing), anabolic steroids, hallucinogens (psilocybin mushrooms), or synthetic cannabinoids (e.g. spice, K2, etc.);
- On any occasion, illegally manufactured or delivered a controlled substance;
- Used any illegal drug while employed in any law enforcement or prosecutorial agency;
- Been found guilty by a court or jury of driving under the influence of intoxicants within 5 years preceding application for ISP employment;
- Abused prescription drugs (case-by-case analysis).
Other involvement with illegal drugs may be a disqualifier. The Director of the Idaho State Police has the authority to make all final hiring decisions.
ISP Grooming & Appearance Standards
Jewelry, body piercing, earrings, scarring and tattoos
- The exhibition of non-traditional jewelry, such as nose, eyebrow or lip jewelry, or simulated body piercing is prohibited for all employees while in the workplace or when representing the ISP elsewhere.
- Female troopers on duty may wear one pair of single stud-type earrings in the ear lobe, no larger than 5 mm.
- Visible tattoos that are obscene, offensive, sexually suggestive, profane, or discriminatory towards persons based on their race, color, national origin or ancestry, religion or creed, age, sex, or disability are prohibited.
- Visible tattoos on the head, neck, or hands are prohibited and must either be removed or covered by an acceptable means that maintains a professional image.
- Tattoos on arms below the cuff of the summer uniform must also be removed or covered in a manner consistent with upholding a professional appearance.
- Tattoos simulating a wedding ring or tattoos simulating cosmetics or makeup are permissible.
- Intentional visible scarring, branding, and subcutaneous implants to the head, neck, hands, face, ears, and arms are prohibited.