The Kansas Highway Patrol serves as the primary law enforcement agency for upholding public safety on Kansas’ roadways. The KHP also provides tactical, aerial and specialized police services to rural and local law enforcement agencies throughout Kansas. By providing traffic enforcement, narcotics interdiction, criminal investigations and security for public events, the Kansas Highway Patrol ensures the safety and wellbeing of Kansas’s residents.
To learn how to become a Kansas State Trooper, please review the following guidelines.
- Evaluate yourself
- Apply online
- Successfully pass the written and run tests
- Pass the polygraph test and background investigation
- Interview with officers
- Pass the medical examination, psychological evaluation, and physical agility test
- Complete Kansas State Trooper training
Step 1. Evaluate Yourself
If you wish to become a Kansas State Trooper, you must possess the following qualifications.
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Be at least 21 years of age
- Have a valid Kansas Driver’s license
- Be of proportional weight for your height
- Vision of at least 20/40 with or without correction
- Normal hearing
If you possess any of the following conditions, you may be ineligible for Kansas State Trooper jobs.
- Conviction of a crime that merits imprisonment
- Have an offensive tattoo anywhere on your person
- Have a tattoo that is visible while wearing a KHP uniform
- Convicted of driving while under alcohol intoxication within the past five years
- Convicted of driving while under the influence of drugs within the past 10 years
- Use of anabolic steroids within the past two years
- Sale of controlled substances
- Impersonation of a government official
- Incest or child molestation, and viewing of child pornography after the age of 18
- Involvement in any aspect of prostitution
- Domestic violence
- The act or attempt to bribe a public official
Step 2. Apply Online
An application may be completed and submitted through the Kansas State Employment Center website.
Step 3. Successfully Pass the Written and Run Tests
The written exam will assess your basic skills in math, reading comprehension and grammar. You will also be asked to complete a 1.5 mile run within a certain time limit.
Step 4. Pass the Polygraph Test and Background Investigation
You will be subjected to intensive questioned while connected to a polygraph lie detector. At the same time, your background will be investigated to ensure that your history, reputation and character meet the expectations of the KHP.
Step 5. Interview with Officers
You will be required to interview with a colonel or regional commander who will decide to offer you a Conditional Offer of Employment.
Step 6. Pass the Medical Examination, Psychological Evaluation, and Physical
Agility Test
Upon receipt of an offer, you will be required to submit to a complete medical and psychological evaluation by a licensed physician as well as a certified psychologist. These professionals must certify that you are physically and mentally capable of discharging your duties as a Kansas State Trooper. A physical agility test will also be administered which includes the following components:
- Load 8 rounds into a magazine within 30 seconds
- Pull the trigger of a handgun at least 7 times within 20 seconds with each hand
- Fire a shotgun four times upon each shoulder within 20 seconds
- Complete the obstacle course within 2 minutes and 45 seconds
Step 7. Complete Kansas State Trooper Training
The 560 hour Kansas State Trooper Training Program will take place at the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center. The curriculum will include topics on
- Constitutional law
- Kansas criminal code
- Search and seizure
- Report writing