Idaho State Police recruiting new troopers with open house in Pocatello

POCATELLO — Idaho State Police is looking for new troopers across the state and will host an open house in Pocatello this weekend for anyone interested in learning more about a career with the agency.

District 5 Patrol Lt. Todd Orr, ISP, said staffing is low statewide.

The two-hour recruitment open house will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at the ISP District 5 office, 5255 South 5th Avenue, Suite 1, in Pocatello.

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Orr described the informational open house as a “one-stop shop” where people can ask questions and learn what it takes to become an Idaho State Trooper, whether they’re interested in working in eastern Idaho or elsewhere in the state.

“We’ll walk through the application process, academy and field training, pay and benefits, and give people a look at the entire process,” Orr said. “It’s like in ‘The Wizard of Oz.’ Until you roll back the curtain, you don’t know what’s going on.”

Why is ISP short on troopers?

According to a March report from the Idaho Statesman, ISP Col. Bill Gardiner said about 40 of the agency’s 120 patrol positions were vacant.

Orr said there isn’t one simple explanation for why ISP is short-staffed, but one challenge is finding qualified applicants willing to take the first step toward a law enforcement career.

“Many people who could make good troopers have simply never considered the profession,” he said. “Others may be interested but question whether they have the physical ability, temperament or skills needed to handle the job.”

Orr said potential applicants shouldn’t assume they need to arrive already knowing how to be a trooper.

“That’s what the training is for,” he said.

ISP’s academy is designed to challenge recruits while developing the skills and confidence needed to do the job. Orr said the agency is looking for people with integrity, good judgment, a strong work ethic and a willingness to learn.

ISP training differs from that of many city police departments, Orr said, with a more paramilitary-style environment designed to prepare troopers for the wide range of situations they could encounter.

A career built around service

For Orr, the appeal of being an Idaho State Trooper comes down to service and the opportunity to make a difference.

That can mean stopping an impaired driver before someone gets hurt, helping a stranded family along the highway, responding to a serious crash or assisting another law enforcement agency.

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“Sometimes the impact is immediate and obvious, and other times we may never know the difference we made,” Orr said.

The job also gives troopers the opportunity to serve communities throughout Idaho.

“It is a profession that brings tremendous responsibility, but with that responsibility comes the opportunity to serve a purpose greater than yourself,” Orr said.

ISP currently has openings statewide. During the hiring process, applicants can select the district where they would like to work and live.

Qualified applicants must be U.S. citizens, at least 21 years old, have a high school diploma or GED equivalent, possess or be eligible for an Idaho driver’s license and successfully complete required background checks.

More information about qualifications is available on ISP’s Career Qualification page.

Applications for current trooper openings can be submitted through the State of Idaho jobs website.

Orr encourages anyone who has ever wondered whether they could become a trooper to attend Saturday’s open house before ruling themselves out.

“Come talk to us. Learn about the profession, understand the expectations, and see what the training process looks like,” Orr said.

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