Kentucky State Police: Recruitment (Text Only)

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Recruitment Announcement

The testing window for Cadet class 88 has closed. If you are scheduled to test during the week of the 16th of Nov please be sure to arrive 30 minutes prior to your scheduled test time. The first phase of our testing process will be the Peace Officer Professional Standards Physical Fitness Testing.
Click here to go to the Updated Recruitment Announcement>

The Kentucky State Police is the leading law enforcement agency for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Becoming a sworn officer in the Kentucky State Police is much more than just a job. And the benefits extend well beyond those of ordinary professions.

As a Kentucky State Police Trooper, you'll be in a position that offers almost immeasurable rewards in the pursuit of service to the citizens of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Don't forget the Kentucky State Police also has a number of civilian positions for employment as well. For more information on career opportunities as a civilian, click here.

The Kentucky State Police is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D.

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Advancement/Promotion for KSP Sworn Officers

After five years of service Troopers attain the rank of Senior Trooper and an additional five- percent increase in salary.

Those with 60 college credit hours can achieve this non-supervisory rank in three years.

Promotion to the supervisor ranks of sergeant, lieutenant and captain is based upon merit and prescribed criteria set out by statute to include testing and evaluation.

Promotional Ladder:

Sergeant - candidates are eligible to compete after six (6) years of service as a Trooper.
Lieutenant - candidates are eligible to compete after serving (1) year at the rank of Sergeant.
Captain - candidates are eligible to compete after serving (1) year at the rank of Lieutenant.

The Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police appoints all ranks above Captain.

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KSP Benefit

Salary

Cadet troopers will receive $2,870.16 per month during academy training.

Upon graduation this salary will increase to $3,115.20 monthly ($37,382.40 annually).

With increments regulated and set by legislative approval, employees receive annual increases with no top out level.

Troopers receive a 10-percent salary increase with each promotion.

Troopers also receive five dollars per day for uniform maintenance.

Troopers also receive a $3,100.00 annual training stipend.

Benefits

Health Insurance: Troopers may choose one of a variety of health insurance plans offered with dependent coverage at additional charge.

Life Insurance: The Commonwealth of Kentucky provides a $20,000 term life insurance policy.

Vacation: Paid vacation time is accrued according to your years of service.

0-4 years of employment 12 days per year.
5-9 years of employment 15 days per year.
10-14 years of employment 18 days per year.
15 years & over of employment 21 days per year.

Sick Leave: You accrue one sick day for every month worked. There is no limit to the number of sick days you may accumulate. Upon retirement, all accumulated sick leave goes toward your retirement.

Military Leave: Any trooper who is a member of the military reserve or National Guard is entitled to a maximum of 15 working days per year of paid military leave.

Holidays: Troopers receive 10 and ½ paid holidays per year.

Equipment: All troopers are provided uniforms, necessary weapons, vehicles and other essential equipment and supplies in order to perform their duties.

Retirement: Troopers may retire with 25 years of service and collect 50% of the average of their three highest years of wages and full benefits.

Merit Pay Program, Job Security, State Run Deferred Compensation program, Opportunities for Growth and Advancement, and Take home car are also provided.

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Sworn Officer Positions

There are many specialized positions in the Kentucky State Police that officers may choose to pursue, including:

Canine Handler
Pilot
Training Fitness Officer
Firearms/Range Officer
Executive Protection Officer
Special Response Team (SRT)
License Exam Officer
Academy Instructor
General Investigator
Drug Investigator
Public Affairs Officer
Selective Traffic Enforcement Program Officer (STEP)

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Minimum Requirements for KSP Sworn Officers

KRS 16.040 (2) requires that all persons appointed as officers shall, at the time of their appointment, be:

A citizen of the United States.
Of good moral character and in good health.
Not less than twenty-one (21) years of age.
Possess a valid drivers license against which no more than six (6) driver demerit points have been assessed. You must submit a copy of a valid drivers license at time of application.
At the time of application, possess a minimum of sixty (60) college hours of credit, or an associates degree from an accredited college or university, or be a high school graduate with at least two (2) years of active military duty or two (2) years experience as a full-time, sworn law enforcement officer.

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Disqualifications on becoming a KSP Trooper

Applicants shall be disqualified from further participation in the selection process or removed from the register if it is determined that:

An applicant does not meet any one (1) of the qualifications for appointment as an officer.
An applicant has made a false statement of material fact on the application or in response to any questions or requests for information during the selection process.
An applicant has used or attempted to use political influence, coercion or bribery to secure an advantage in any phase of the selection process.
An applicant has cheated during the course of any examination required during the selection process, or has attempted to gain an advantage over other applicants by any dishonest or intentionally misleading act or omission.
An applicant has failed to comply with any instructions from the department relating to the selection process.
An applicant has been dismissed for cause from any public agency, or has resigned while charges of misconduct were pending.
An applicant has been convicted of a felony or a crime of moral turpitude.
An applicant is a current user of a controlled substance, unless prescribed by a physician.
An applicant is addicted to any controlled substance or intoxicant.
An applicant has more than six (6) driver demerit points against his operator license.
An applicant test positive for an unlawful controlled substance as determined by a blood or urine analysis.
An applicant has tattoos that can be seen when the applicant wears a Kentucky State Police summer uniform shirt, which the Kentucky State Police will make available for the applicant to try on when the applicant takes the written examination.

EFFECTIVE MARCH 1, 2002

Agency policy requires that tattoos or body piercing shall not be visible while in any agency issued uniform.

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Requirements/Guidelines for Application

All submitted applications must be typed or printed legibly in ink and have a copy of the following attached:

Copy of a certified Birth Certificate.
Copy of a valid Drivers License.
Official college or university transcripts (if applicable).
Notarized letter from employer in law enforcement certifying length of employment (if applicable).
Copy of DD214 form if a veteran of the military -or- if currently active, a notarized letter from commanding officer verifying length of service (if applicable).
High school diploma or GED certificate required if military or law enforcement experience is used to satisfy requirements.

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Download KSP Trooper Application

To download a Kentucky State Police Cadet Application, click here.

NOTE: The Kentucky State Police Cadet application and Testing Date selection forms are provided in Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format (.pdf). You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print the application. Click here to download Acrobat Reader for free.

NOTE: No application can be processed without all required documents.

Testing Location/Map

Both the Cadet Candidate Written Exams and the Content Based Task Test (CBTT) will take place in Frankfort, Kentucky at the Kentucky State University campus. The written exam will be taken in the Cooperative Extension Building and the Content Based Task Test will be taken in the William Exum Center Building

Click here for detailed directions and a map of the location of the Written Exam and CBTT.

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Recruitment Branch

You can request more information on a career with the Kentucky State Police, contact our Recruitment Branch by:

Sending an e-mail message to us.

NOTE: This email address is for career inquires only. For other information requests, please see our contact information page to determine the appropriate contact.

OR

Write or visit us during normal business hours (Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM) at the Recruitment Branch located at:

Kentucky State Police
Recruitment Branch
919 Versailles Road
Frankfort, KY 40601

OR

Call the Recruitment Branch at (502) 695-6302 or Toll-Free at 1-866-360-3165 during normal business hours (Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM).

OR

By visiting your local Kentucky State Police Post. Click here to find the KSP Post closest to your location.

The Kentucky State Police is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D.

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Contact Information for the Kentucky State Police

Kentucky State Police
919 Versailles Road | Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 695-6300 | (502) 695-6380

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