If you want to join the next cadet class for the Louisiana State Police, time is running out to apply.
The deadline for applying for the 106th Cadet Class is September 18th, less than two weeks away.
According to LSP, applicants need to meet certain requirements:
- Two years of experience as a Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified peace officer in a full-time position (must provide certification with application) whose job duties include armed duty with the power of arrest (jailer/correctional officer experience does not qualify); or
- A minimum of 60 semester hours from an accredited college or university (must provide transcript or degree); or
- Any two year combination of Options 1 and 2 above, whereby 30 semester hours will be equivalent to one year of experience; or
- Three years of continuous active military duty in the United States Military (must provide a DD-214 or letter from current commanding officer verifying service), effective October 1, 2001
In addition, applicants need to have the physical and mental capabilities to work in law enforcement.
“It is going to take a person with a lot of character and fortitude,” says Lt. Robert Fontenot. “The academy is not an easy part of your career. It’s designed to be tough for a reason.”
Just being approved to go through academy yields a handsome starting salary.
“Just coming into the academy, a cadet is going to start off at $56,000 a year,” says Fontenot. “And there are increases for that first year of employment … By the end of that first year of employment with LSP, our young troopers are making $61,000 a year.”
Troopers will also be given a take-home vehicle, opportunities for overtime and a generous retirement package.
If you’re interested in applying, you can do so on the department’s website, www.lsp.org.
Click on the “become a trooper” link to download the application, fill it out and email it to the Louisiana State Police Commission.
From there, the commission will schedule an entrance exam.
“Once you’ve completed and passed the entrance exam, background units are going to contact you,” says Fontenot. “Recruiters are going to contact you. We’re going to help walk somebody all the way through the hiring process.”
Cadet Class is expected to start December 15th, and it will last 24 weeks.
