State Police/Trooper

[mshillair]

Hello everyone.

I am looking for your opinions/comments/suggestions about joing the state police vs a county, city, village, etc police department. Specifically, I am thinking about the IL state police. I realize that they pay less initially and you can be stationed anywhere in the state, but what are other negative aspects? Obviously, it is a different type of policing compared to a city department. But what are the good points, if any?

Does anyone know how competetive it is to get into? I have all the requirements to join, but I don't know many details about how they choose a recruit class...and how often.

I would appreciate any opinions and comments.

Thanks.

[BrickCop]

You guys know an alarm sounded in our NY Trooper's cruiser as soon as this was posted. :D

Should you go State or local PD? I dunno but according to a NY Trooper I know of, all troopers are issued Superhero capes so they can fly overhead and **** on the lowly locals. :D

Sorry about the jokes...I hope a Trooper can give you the info you're seeking.

[ramathorn]

You guys know an alarm sounded in our NY Trooper's cruiser as soon as this was posted. :D

Should you go State or local PD? I dunno but according to a NY Trooper I know of, all troopers are issued Superhero capes so they can fly overhead and **** on the lowly locals. :D

Sorry about the jokes...I hope a Trooper can give you the info you're seeking.



LOL I'm sure he can give him any info he needs and then some. :D

[SeVere]

You guys know an alarm sounded in our NY Trooper's cruiser as soon as this was posted. :D

Should you go State or local PD? I dunno but according to a NY Trooper I know of, all troopers are issued Superhero capes so they can fly overhead and **** on the lowly locals. :D

Sorry about the jokes...I hope a Trooper can give you the info you're seeking.

Here in the Metropolitan Chicago Area, Illinois Troopers really don't have the Super Hero Complex. The ones I have run into have been pretty good guys.

I don't know about how they are outside the Metro Area, but from what I have seen ISP is a squared away group who works and plays well with others.

They really don't share the same reputations as some Highway Patrols/State Police Agencies.

[VSP_Troop]

I am a couple weeks away from getting the official word with the VT State Police. I have heard mixed things from people.... Seems like they get along well with most departments but there will always be Troopers out there who have the enlarged head syndrome. I'm not looking to get brainwashed by the academy and I know the state police up there are supposed to "take control" of a situation or call they roll to regardless of where it is. Personally, everyone is on the same team, be it municipal or state, so although I won't be able to speak for others, but I would interact with the local guys in the same manner i would with other Troops. One thing I like about VSP which not a lot of other state agencies offer, is the fact they handle a lot of calls as well as interstate patrol which was a big draw for me. Some barracks cover up to 25-30 towns which do not have their own PD's and also have hundreds of miles of Interstate. Regardless of what people thing, each VT barracks is moderatley to extremley busy. Also, there nobody telling you to do this and be at certain locations at certain times. For example, the Brattleboro barracks covers 920+ square miles and tons of interstate. You can roam anywhere within that range, as long as you produce numbers (arrests, DUI's) the brass will be happy. The take home cruiser is a big perk too

[friedom77]

I am at a trooper academy right now and although it is hard as hell, it's f'n awsome. Let me just say that whatever you decide, keep in mind that you are either on one team or the other - good guys or bad guys. If you go the trooper route, don't lose your f'n mind and think your better than anyone else. We are all on the same team. I am very happy with my choice but it was a personal one. I'm a seven year army mp vet and I'll tell you right now, where ever you go they'll be idiots or someone you think isn't worthy of their rank or title. Trooper or Officer it doesn't matter, both kick ***. Smell ya later and good luck.