Missouri State Highway Patrol Superintendent Colonel Eric T. Olson has announced the agency will offer another 15-week accelerated academy to law-enforcement professionals interested in becoming a trooper.

A press release says to be eligible, candidates must possess an active Missouri Class A POST license in good standing or be able to obtain one prior to the start of recruit training. Candidates must have served a minimum of three consecutive years as a full-time Missouri POST-commissioned police officer, military police officer or out-of-state police officer in a traffic, patrol or investigations capacity.

Successful applicants will know their assignment prior to entering training as members of the 116th Recruit Class and be eligible to receive 46 college credit hours from Mineral Area College for courses they complete during training. The class will begin on January 3, 2023.

All candidates must successfully complete the selection process for troopers to enter the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy. The selection process for potential troopers has not changed. It includes a written examination, a physical fitness for duty assessment, polygraph examination, background investigation and oral interview board. Written and physical examinations take place in each troop area across the state. After a conditional offer of employment, the applicant must successfully complete a medical examination (includes vision and hearing), psychological examination, a psychological interview, drug screening and final applicant review.

The deadline to apply is July 10, 2022. Interested persons can learn more about the Missouri State Highway Patrol Accelerated Academy by contacting a Patrol recruiter at 1 (800) 796-7000 or may apply online at <https://statepatrol.dps.mo.gov/pages/becomeatrooper> then select “apply now.”