How to Become an Alabama State Trooper

Oct 25, 2010
Sean Worth

Become an Alabama State Trooper - southernfried

So you want to become an Alabama State Trooper? The list of requirements to become an Alabama State Trooper is challenging.

Obtaining a job as as Police Officers in the State of Alabama is a noble pursuit. Day-to-day duties are ever-changing and always challenging. They are tasked to investigate various cases including larceny, rape, domestic violence, missing persons, and critical incident response. The following qualifications can be found on the Alabama Department of Public Safety site:

Age Requirements for an Alabama State Trooper

A required age of 21 is to maintain a standard of maturity and seems to be a national standard for police officers of all types. No maximum age is listed, though ask when applying if you are thirty years old or older.

Education Requirements for an Alabama State Trooper

Alabama wants educated officers. New hires must have a GED, High School Equivalency diploma, or high school diploma at time of application. College is not a requirement though there are incentives in place to make the pursuit of your two or four year degree desirable.

Physical and Medical Requirements for an Alabama State Trooper

The candidate must possess the ability to pass a Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission (POSTC) Physical Agility Test. Testing begins with an obstacle course which must be completed in under 90 seconds. Once this has been successfully completed the candidate must pass a test consisting of sit-ups, push-ups and a one-and-one-half mile run. The minimum requirements applicants must complete are: twenty-five sit-ups in 60 seconds, twenty-two push-ups in 60 seconds and complete the run in less than fifteen minutes and 28 seconds to pass the test. You must be physically able to work long hours and rotating shifts. Other testing may include:

polygraph test
background investigation
vision/hearing/medical exam
psychological screening
drug testing

Miscellaneous Requirements for an Alabama State Trooper

Candidates are required to be a citizen of the United States. You must be an Alabama state resident and obtain a valid Alabama State driver's license at time of your appointment. Applicants will be automatically disqualified for any felony conviction. Alabama wants its Troopers to be of high moral character and maintain a professional attitude. An ideal recruit has outstanding initiative and is self-motivated. Candidates must keep in mind that they can be assigned to anywhere in the State of Alabama and may be required to work overtime as needed.

A career in law enforcement is an honorable profession. Becoming a police officer in the State of Alabama can be a rewarding and attainable career. Now that you know the qualifications to become one of Alabama's finest you can prepare yourself for the rigorous testing.