Requirements to become an ISP Trooper

Thank You for your interest in becoming an Idaho State Trooper. Please review the following carefully to ensure you qualify for employment.

Applicants must meet the entrance requirements outlined in Idaho Administrative Code 11.11.01 – Rules of the Idaho Peace Officer Standards & Training (POST) Council

• Shall be a citizen of the United States.
• Must be a graduate of an accredited high school, or GED equivalent.
• Shall be a 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 Idaho State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification and the FBI. A conviction or withheld judgment for any local, state, or federal crime may be grounds for rejection
• Successfully complete a background investigation.
• Attest to the Code of Ethics/Standards of Conduct on POST application.

Additional Qualifications

• Applicants must successfully complete a polygraph examination.
• Must meet the Idaho State Police (ISP) Drug Policy Requirements.
• Must meet the ISP medical, vision, hearing, psychological, and physical fitness requirements.
• Must have two (2) or more years of responsible work experience or attendance at an institution of higher learning following high school graduation.
• Must successfully complete the ISP Advanced Training Course, including obtaining a POST Basic Certification, and the post-graduate Field Training Officer (FTO) program.

Disqualifiers

What could prevent me from being a successful candidate?

Do not apply if you:

• Have any felony conviction;
• Have any misdemeanor conviction within 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;
• 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.

Conviction for the purposes of ISP employment means that you have pled guilty or have been found guilty, notwithstanding the form of the judgment or withheld judgment. Requests to waive any of the listed disqualifications are rarely considered and require the written approval of the ISP Director. Also please note: ISP’s procedure states that visible tattoos on the head, neck, or hands are prohibited and must either be removed or covered by an acceptable means that does not deter from the professional image.  Tattoos on arms below the cuff of the summer uniform must be removed or covered by an acceptable means that does not deter from the professional image.

Idaho State Police Drug Policy

Idaho State Police does not consider for employment, nor accept as a volunteer, any person who has:

• Used or possessed within the 5 year period immediately preceding application for ISP employment: LSD, PCP, heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, or designer drugs (e.g. ecstasy, synthetic cathinones, their chemical derivatives and synthetic equivalents, etc.); if use was prior to 5 years preceding application for employment, the following factors will 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 the 5 year period preceding application for ISP employment;
• Abused prescription drugs (case by case analysis).

Other involvement with illegal drugs may be a disqualifier.  The Colonel of the Idaho State Police has the authority to make all final hiring decisions.

ISP Grooming and Appearance Standards

Jewelry, Body Piercing, Earrings, Scarring and Tattoos

1. 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.
2. The wearing of one pair of single stud type earrings in the lobe of the ear, no larger than 5 mm, is allowed for female troopers on duty.
3. Visible tattoos that are obscene, offensive, sexually suggestive, profane or discriminatory towards persons on the basis of their race, color, national origin or ancestry, religion or creed, age, sex or disability are prohibited.
4. Visible tattoos on the head, neck, or hands are prohibited and must either be removed, or covered by an acceptable means that does not deter from the professional image. However, tattoos simulating a wedding ring or tattoos simulating cosmetics or makeup are permissible.
5. Intentional visible scarring, branding, subcutaneous implants to the head, neck, hands, face, ears, and arms are prohibited.