Position Details
ABOUT THE POSITION:
This position serves in a training and learning capacity, receiving instruction on basic law enforcement services in accordance with the mission, goals and objectives of the Colorado State Patrol and in compliance with governing federal and state laws. The position will learn and demonstrate the ability to exercise extensive independent judgment in making decisions, that may include taking immediate actions with limited opportunity to consider various alternatives. Cadets must successfully complete all academy courses, including academic classes, physical training, vehicle operations, weapon qualification(s) and use of force to move to the classification of Trooper, within the prescribed training period.
This position will work under the direction of the Major and Commander of the State Patrol Academy and the qualified/uniformed & civilian/certified training staff. A State Patrol Cadet trains to become a fully functional State Trooper to patrol highways ensuring public safety by enforcing all state and federal laws pertaining to the traffic network. A cadet will also train to analyze trends and statistics in order to determine the appropriate enforcement process to be used in accomplishing task goals.
A Colorado State Patrol Cadet attends the prescribed training academy and must successfully complete every course. This announcement will be filling the Academy classes starting in November 2025 and February 2026.
A new cadet will immediately commence to the duties & demonstrate responsibility for his/her conduct, as being part of a safe and positive work environment, for sustaining moderate fitness levels, and as a student while in various environments (i.e., classroom, firearms training, fitness, driving track, outdoor training).
You can find out more about the Academy and Cadet training by clicking here.
DUTIES:
- Arrest Authority Training
- The Cadet position receives instruction in the interpretation and application of laws and statues of the State of Colorado, laws of arrest, rights of citizens, basic criminal investigation processes and techniques including law enforcement ethics, witness interviews and collection of evidence.
- Communication Training
- The Cadet position receives instruction on the interpretation and application of the agency's key polices, positions and strategies while interpreting and applying policy and procedures to the public in an operational capacity. Cadets receive instruction on the interpretation of the philosophies and programs implemented by the agency, on effective report writing and effective speaking. The Cadet position also receives instruction on serving as a witness in court testimony and providing accurate, complete and truthful statements.
- Emergency Response Training
- The Cadet position receives instruction to perform independently and to recognize immediate problems. A Cadet must make responsible decisions and take the appropriate corrective action without the benefit of close supervision. Training will include participation in simulated instruction in situations that are often stressful or dangerous in nature. The Cadet position receives instruction and interpretation in collection of evidence, participates in firearms training and physical methods of arrest training, participates in emergency vehicle operations training to include pursuit, defensive driving and emergency driving. The Cadet position receives instruction in enforcement psychology, enforcement tactics, and crowd control tactics, recognizing and respecting the complexities of cultural diversity, radio communications, and basic medical response techniques. The Cadet position also participates in a physical training program.
- Technical Expertise/Training
- The Cadet position receives instruction in necessary technical expertise to include but not limited to: use of patrol vehicles, firearms, use of force, arrest control, physical fitness, use of assigned equipment, crash investigations, officer safety skills, decision making skills, and current technology. Instruction is provided on how and when to effectively use lethal and less lethal weapons, arrest control tactics and tools.
Cadets must attend all assigned training and acquire all required certifications prescribed by agency written directives and Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) standards.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- HS Diploma or GED (minimum qualification)
- Must be 21 years of age at the start of the Academy (special qualification)
DISQUALIFIERS:
Only applications meeting strict criteria will be moving through in the process. There are specific disqualifiers which may be grounds for your removal from the application process. These disqualifiers are presented in the Supplemental Questions provided in this application.
Effective December 2020, the Colorado State Patrol Appearance/Tattoo Policy is as follows:
- Any body marking that is found to be vulgar, obscene, sexually explicit, gang related, prejudicial or which may otherwise bring discredit on the State Patrol or police profession, is prohibited.
- Body markings on or above the collar bone are prohibited.
- Body markings on or below the wrist bone are prohibited. Members are permitted to have one band, no greater than 8mm wide on one finger.
- Full Colorado State Patrol Personal Appearance policy (Download PDF reader).
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
- Ability to successfully complete a background investigation, polygraph, pre-employment physical examination, psychological evaluation, and drug test.
- The background investigation is based on the following criteria, including, but not limited to: driving history, criminal behavior/history, alcohol use/behavior, drug use/behavior and integrity. If you omit any material fact on your application/testing materials, whether intentional or unintentional, you will be disqualified. If any disqualifying information is discovered at any stage of the selection process, you will be removed from consideration for the position;
- Vision must be unimpaired or correctable to 20/20 and must possess normal color vision, depth perception, night vision, near acuity, far acuity, accommodation and field of vision including peripheral;
- Must be able to hear and understand voice and radio communication either aided or unaided.
- Ability to meet POST criteria to become POST certified.
- Must be willing to live within 30 minutes from their assigned duty station and must be willing to go to any station throughout the state of Colorado.
- Must be available and willing to work 24/7 as needed. This includes weekends, holidays, rotating shifts, and in all weather conditions.
- Applicant must be willing to serve a one year probationary period;
- Must be able to effectively communicate fluently in English, verbally and in writing;
- Must meet the standards of the Colorado State Patrol Drug-Free Workplace and Workforce policy including passing a pre-employment drug screen: Drug-Free Workplace and Workforce policy (Download PDF reader)
