FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 22, 2006
CONTACT: Cpl. Dwight Green, (803) 896-5475
COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol is taking applications for a trooper training class that will begin January 2007. The Highway Patrol will be interviewing potential candidates in the Marlboro area on February 28 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Bennettsville Police Department Substation, S.C. 9 (Broad Street).
The South Carolina Highway Patrol, the state’s largest law enforcement agency, currently has 796 uniformed troopers patrolling South Carolina highways.
Trooper trainees will attend 18 weeks of intensive classroom and hands-on training beginning with the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy’s nine-week basic law enforcement training. They will then move into nine weeks of specialized training from the Highway Patrol including advanced collision investigation techniques. Previously or currently certified officers will only be required to attend the nine week advanced training portion.
An applicant must meet the following minimum qualifications to apply for a position with the Patrol: be at least 21 years of age; a United States citizen (South Carolina residency is not required); high school graduate or GED; 20/20 vision OR no more than 20/100 corrected to 20/20; NO CRIMINAL RECORD; driving record shall be clear of any suspension for the last five years as a result of alcoholic beverage or dangerous drug violations. The overall driving record will be evaluated with emphasis on the severity, date and age, time span, and number of violations accumulated. Must be able to perform all of the essential and marginal job functions of a state trooper.
The selection process includes the following steps: application, physical fitness test, written examination, polygraph examination, background investigation, review board, medical/psychological screening. Benefits include: 15 days annual (vacation) leave, 15 days sick leave, 12 paid state holidays, state health insurance, state dental insurance, Patrol car, all uniforms and accessories, state retirement with maximum benefits after 25 years of service or age 55.
Those interested in receiving an application or wishing to get more information may consult the SCDPS web site at http://www.schp.org/employment.asp and may find out more by reading our recruiting brochure on the front page of the SCDPS web site or by calling the SCHP Recruiting Office at 1-877-349-2096.
Media interested in talking with Highway Patrol Recruiting, please contact Cpl. Dwight Green at (803) 896-5475 or (877) 349-2096.
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