Colorado State Patrol Cadet

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Colorado State Patrol Cadet is a training position for candidates preparing to become fully functional State Troopers. Cadets receive instruction in basic law enforcement services consistent with the Colorado State Patrol’s mission and in compliance with federal and state laws. They learn to exercise independent judgment, make decisions that may require immediate action, and patrol highways to promote public safety and enforce applicable laws. Training also includes analyzing trends and statistics to determine appropriate enforcement approaches. Cadets must attend and successfully complete all courses in a 24–26-week academy, including academic classes, physical training, vehicle operations, firearms qualification, and use-of-force training. The academy class associated with this announcement is scheduled to commence July 12, 2027. Cadets train in classroom, firearms, fitness, driving-track, and outdoor settings, and are expected to act responsibly, contribute to a safe and positive work environment, and maintain moderate fitness levels. Upon graduation, Cadets move to the Trooper classification, with a stated monthly pay rate of $8,046. The position works under the direction of the Major and Commander of the State Patrol Academy and qualified uniformed and civilian/certified training staff. It is 100% in person. The Trooper role supports a 24/7 statewide law-enforcement mission, so work hours vary and may include extended shifts, nights, weekends, holidays, and emergency callouts, depending on staffing and incidents. Cadets must be willing to serve at any station in Colorado and meet the residency standard for their assigned duty station.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Must be at least 21 years old at the start of the Academy.
Must successfully complete a background investigation, polygraph, physical fitness assessment (row test), pre-employment physical examination, psychological evaluation, and drug test.
Must meet POST criteria for certification as a peace officer.
Vision must be unimpaired or correctable to 20/20, with normal color vision, depth perception, night vision, near and far acuity, accommodation, and visual field including peripheral vision.
Must be able to hear and understand voice and radio communications, aided or unaided.
Must be able to communicate fluently in English, verbally and in writing.
Must have a current and valid driver’s license.
Must meet the Colorado State Patrol Drug-Free Workplace and Workforce policy, including passing a pre-employment drug screen.
Must meet the residency standard for the assigned duty station and be willing to serve at any station throughout Colorado.
Must be available and willing to work as needed 24/7, including weekends, holidays, rotating shifts, and in all weather conditions.
Must be willing to serve a one-year probationary period.
Must successfully complete the full academy curriculum, including academic, physical, vehicle-operations, firearms-qualification, and use-of-force training.
Must comply with the Colorado State Patrol appearance/tattoo policy: prohibited body markings include those that are vulgar, obscene, sexually explicit, gang-related, prejudicial, or otherwise discrediting; markings on or above the collarbone or on or below the wrist are prohibited, with one band no wider than 8mm permitted on one finger.
Omission of a material fact in application or testing materials may result in disqualification; disqualifying information discovered during the selection process may result in removal from consideration.

Nice To Haves

Previous law-enforcement-related experience (preferred, not required).
Strong written and oral communication skills.
Sound judgment and consistent decision-making under pressure.
Flexibility and adaptability in changing situations.
Ability to work effectively with others and build positive working relationships in a team environment.
Strong command presence when required.

Responsibilities

Receive instruction in interpreting and applying Colorado laws, laws of arrest, citizens’ rights, basic criminal investigation processes, law-enforcement ethics, witness interviews, and evidence collection.
Learn and apply agency policies, positions, strategies, philosophies, and programs when communicating with the public.
Develop effective report-writing and speaking skills, and learn to provide accurate, complete, and truthful testimony and statements in court.
Recognize immediate problems, make responsible decisions, and take appropriate corrective action without close supervision, including in simulated stressful or dangerous situations.
Train in evidence collection, firearms, physical methods of arrest, emergency vehicle operations, pursuit, defensive and emergency driving, enforcement psychology and tactics, crowd control, cultural diversity, radio communications, and basic medical response.
Participate in physical training and develop technical expertise in patrol vehicles, firearms, use of force, arrest control, assigned equipment, crash investigations, officer safety, decision-making, and current technology.
Attend all assigned training and obtain certifications required by agency directives and Colorado POST standards.
Successfully complete all academy courses within the prescribed training period to qualify for classification as a Trooper.
Train to patrol highways, promote public safety, enforce state and federal laws pertaining to the traffic network, and analyze trends and statistics to determine appropriate enforcement processes.

Benefits

Medical and dental options for permanent employees and their dependents.
Short- and long-term disability coverage.
Basic Life and AD&D insurance at no cost to employees, subject to stated minimum and maximum coverage amounts; life insurance includes legal resources and discounts.
No-cost State of Health wellness program, including personalized health coaching and skill groups; participants may earn a $20 monthly health-insurance premium discount.
Employee discounts, promotions, and special programs through BenefitHub.
State contribution to a Health Savings Account when enrolled in a High-Deductible Health Plan.
Eligibility for medical leave under FMLA and Colorado FAMLI.
Retirement benefits through a mandatory PERA Defined Benefit or Defined Contribution Plan, with optional 401(k) and 457 plans.
11 paid holidays annually, accrued annual and sick leave, and four annual wellness days.
Employee Assistance Program offering short-term counseling, referrals, resources, training, and organizational development services.
Tuition reimbursement and reduced college tuition at CSU Global and DeVry University.
Credit Union of Colorado membership eligibility.
Eligibility for hybrid or other flexible work arrangements depending on the nature of the role.