Idaho state troopers recruits sought

The Idaho State Police will commission 16 new troopers in Boise Friday.

Two of them are from Eastern Idaho.

Even as these new recruits come in, the ISP is already looking for more men and women to hire.

State Trooper Mike Nielson, who graduated three years ago, remembers what it was like to go through the application, testing and training process.

“It’s a lengthy process but it was well worth it,” Nielson said. It’s a year long and there is the anticipation of am I going to make the cut? Am I going to get to do it? Am I not?”

Not everyone makes it past the training, said Nielson.

“It will vary how many applicants we have. We’ve had it from 800. I think that may be the current go around up to 1,300. The group I tested with we had 1,300 applicants,” said Nielson.

“To become a law enforcement officer the minimum requirements that the state requires that you be trained to is called Post Stands for Peace Officers which are standards of training and that are conducted, basically what you call the police academy. It’s in Meridian,” said Nielson.

The applicants then go into Advance Training Classes where they learn traffic control and enforcement along with much more.

For those who make it through the training and rigorous tests, there is a commission ceremony where they take an oath of office and receive their campaign hat and badge.

Nielson advises those who are interested, to work hard and have a positive attitude.

Online testing begins Jan. 1., which is the first step in the application process.

Anyone interested in learning more about career opportunities with Idaho State Police or applying can visit www.isp.idaho.gov.