• NEXT TROOPER EXAM

The next State Police Exam will take place on Saturday April 20, 2013. For additional information please click here 

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Recruitment Program is to implement effective outreach and recruitment initiatives in order to secure a highly qualified workforce that is representative of the population of Massachusetts.

GENERAL INFORMATION

In order to be considered as a candidate for the position of Massachusetts State Trooper, individuals must pass the Entrance Examination when it is offered and must successfully complete a thorough screening and selection process.
 

Qualifications

Candidates considered for appointment must meet the following requirements pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 22C:

• Must be at least 21 years old and less than 35 years old on April 1, 2013;
• Satisfy all statutory requirements for appointment to the Massachusetts State Police Academy including but not limited to passing a physical fitness test, medical examination including a psychological component;
• Must not smoke any tobacco product;
• Must not have been convicted of a felony or any offense punishable under M.G.L. Chapter 94C (drug law violations); or have any convicted of a misdemeanor and confined to any jail or house of correction as punishment for said crime.
• Demonstrate themselves to be of good moral character, sound work ethic, decision making consistent with the Oath of Office and otherwise suitable for appointment to the Massachusetts State Police Academy;
• Be qualified and deemed suitable by the Colonel/Superintendent to possess a valid Massachusetts Firearms License upon appointment to the Massachusetts State Police Academy;
• Possess a high school diploma or a General Educational Development (GED) certificate upon appointment to the Massachusetts State Police Academy;
• Satisfy the Department’s physical fitness standards for initial appointments, as promulgated and amended;
• Satisfy the Department’s medical and psychological standards for initial appointment, as promulgated and amended;
• Be a United States Citizen upon appointment to the Massachusetts State Police Academy;
• Possess a valid Massachusetts Driver’s License upon appointment to the Massachusetts State Police Academy;
• Be a Massachusetts resident upon appointment to the Massachusetts State Police Academy;
• Subject to the limitation(s) set-forth in this paragraph all candidates for appointment to the position of Massachusetts State Police Trooper and/or Trainee shall have tattoos, body art, brands or scarifications of any type removed prior to appointment to the Massachusetts State Police Training Academy.  For the purpose of this Rule only those tattoos, body art, brands or scarifications that are visible when the candidate is dressed in the Department’s summer Class B duty uniform must be removed.  Attempts to disguise, cover-up or, otherwise keep any such tattoos, body art, brands or scarifications from view shall not satisfy the requirements of this Rule.  For the purpose of this Rule, candidates for appointment shall include those candidates eligible for appointment from any initial appointment eligibility list certified on or after April 1, 2013. 
• Meet all other eligibility and entrance requirements duly established by statute, rule, regulation, policy, procedure, directive, and/or order of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of State Police, including but not limited to Classification Specification promulgated for the position of a Massachusetts State Police Trooper, as amended.
• Candidates satisfying all of the minimum entrance requirements shall, in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws c.22C §11, be considered for appointment to the Massachusetts State Police Academy. However, satisfaction of the minimum requirements by a candidate shall not guarantee appointment to the Massachusetts State Police.

Selection and Hiring Process

In addition to fulfilling the Entrance Requirements for appointment, candidates for hire into the position of Trooper must meet all additional eligibility criteria for enlistment in the Department of State Police as set forth by the Colonel of the State Police via the rules and regulations of said Department.  It is your responsibility to review the current eligibility criteria for enlistment in the Department of State Police prior to pursuing appointment.  

Academy Training

To become a Trooper, recruits must successfully complete the training at the State Police Academy located at 340 West Brookfield Road in New Braintree, Massachusetts. Recruits live at the academy Monday through Friday during this period.

The Recruit Training Program is both mentally and physically challenging. Recruits receive classroom instruction and physical training in a strict, paramilitary environment. Those who graduate, do so with the confidence and knowledge needed to be a Massachusetts State Trooper.

The curriculum includes, but is not limited to: criminal law, motor vehicle law, evidence identification, firearms, public speaking, self-defense tactics, defensive driving, patrol procedures, military drills, court procedures, ethics, diversity awareness and community policing.

Responsibilities

Specific duties of a Trooper include the following: patrolling assigned areas; investigating motor vehicle accidents; following up on complaints; investigating felonies and other crimes; directing traffic and issuing traffic citations; obtaining and safeguarding evidence; testifying in court; rendering and summoning medical aid; conducting arrests; community policing; and engaging in crime prevention and reduction measures.

Specialty Units

With additional and/or specialized training, Troopers are eligible to work in units that may be called upon to perform specific functions. Such units include but are not limited to:

• Airwing
• Canine Search and Rescue
• Collision Analysis/Reconstruction
• Crime Scene Services Analysis and Investigation
• Hazardous Devices
• Hostage Negotiation
• Investigative Services (drug, gang and major crimes)
• Marine Unit
• Mounted Unit
• Special Emergency Response Team
• STOP Team
• Underwater Recovery

Troop Jurisdictions

Upon graduation from the academy, new Troopers are required to work under the supervision of a senior officer for a duration of twelve (12) weeks. After successfully completing the training period, Troopers will assume independent patrol/duties and responsibilities.

A new Trooper is not eligible to bid for a station assignment and therefore can be assigned to any duty station located throughout the seven (7) Troop designations for the State Police.

Promotion

The Department offers promotional exams for the following positions:

• Sergeant
• Lieutenant
• Captain

The following positions are appointed by the Colonel/Superintendent:

• Major
• Lt. Colonel
• Lt. Colonel/Deputy Superintendent

The Colonel/Superintendent is appointed by the Governor.

Benefits

• Health Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Tuition Assistance to any state college or university
• Equipment & uniforms
• Deferred Compensation

Annual Leave

• Eleven paid holidays
• Five paid personal days
• 2 weeks vacation after one year and up to five weeks (based on length of service)
• Fifteen sick days

Additionally, employees are eligible for Family and Medical leave and Military leave as authorized by law.

Salary

Effective December 31, 2012

Recruits are paid a bi-weekly salary of $840.80 plus benefits while training at the academy.

The bi-weekly salary for a Trooper is as follows:

Questions/Comments: Contact the Recruitment Section at recruitment@pol.state.ma.us

The Department of State Police is an Equal Opportunity Employer