After five years of service Troopers attain the rank of Senior Trooper and an additional five- percent increase in salary.

Those with 60 college credit hours can achieve this non-supervisory rank in three years.

Promotion to the supervisor ranks of sergeant, lieutenant and captain is based upon merit and prescribed criteria set out by statute to include testing and evaluation.

Promotional Ladder:

• Sergeant - candidates are eligible to compete after six (6) years of service as a Trooper.
• Lieutenant - candidates are eligible to compete after serving (1) year at the rank of Sergeant.
• Captain - candidates are eligible to compete after serving (1) year at the rank of Lieutenant.

The Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police appoints all ranks above Captain.

Salary

Cadet troopers will receive $2,870.16 per month during academy training.

Upon graduation this salary will increase to $3,115.20 monthly ($37,382.40 annually).

With increments regulated and set by legislative approval, employees receive annual increases with no top out level.

Troopers receive a 10-percent salary increase with each promotion.

Troopers also receive five dollars per day for uniform maintenance.

Troopers also receive a $3,100.00 annual training stipend.

Benefits

Health Insurance: Troopers may choose one of a variety of health insurance plans offered with dependent coverage at additional charge.

Life Insurance: The Commonwealth of Kentucky provides a $20,000 term life insurance policy.

Vacation: Paid vacation time is accrued according to your years of service.

• 0-4 years of employment 12 days per year.
• 5-9 years of employment 15 days per year.
• 10-14 years of employment 18 days per year.
• 15 years & over of employment 21 days per year.

Sick Leave: You accrue one sick day for every month worked. There is no limit to the number of sick days you may accumulate. Upon retirement, all accumulated sick leave goes toward your retirement.

Military Leave: Any trooper who is a member of the military reserve or National Guard is entitled to a maximum of 15 working days per year of paid military leave.

Holidays: Troopers receive 10 and ½ paid holidays per year.

Equipment: All troopers are provided uniforms, necessary weapons, vehicles and other essential equipment and supplies in order to perform their duties.

Retirement: Troopers may retire with 25 years of service and collect 50% of the average of their three highest years of wages and full benefits.

Merit Pay Program, Job Security, State Run Deferred Compensation program, Opportunities for Growth and Advancement, and Take home car are also provided.

There are many specialized positions in the Kentucky State Police that officers may choose to pursue, including:

• Canine Handler
• Pilot
• Training Fitness Officer
• Firearms/Range Officer
• Executive Protection Officer
• Special Response Team (SRT)
• License Exam Officer
• Academy Instructor
• General Investigator
• Drug Investigator
• Public Affairs Officer
• Selective Traffic Enforcement Program Officer (STEP)

KRS 16.040 (2) requires that all persons appointed as officers shall, at the time of their appointment, be:

• A citizen of the United States.
• Of good moral character and in good health.
• Not less than twenty-one (21) years of age.
• Possess a valid drivers license against which no more than six (6) driver demerit points have been assessed.  You must submit a copy of a valid drivers license at time of application.
• At the time of application, possess a minimum of sixty (60) college hours of credit, or an associates degree from an accredited college or university, or be a high school graduate with at least two (2) years of active military duty or two (2) years experience as a full-time, sworn law enforcement officer.

Applicants shall be disqualified from further participation in the selection process or removed from the register if it is determined that:

• An applicant does not meet any one (1) of the qualifications for appointment as an officer.
• An applicant has made a false statement of material fact on the application or in response to any questions or requests for information during the selection process.
• An applicant has used or attempted to use political influence, coercion or bribery to secure an advantage in any phase of the selection process.
• An applicant has cheated during the course of any examination required during the selection process, or has attempted to gain an advantage over other applicants by any dishonest or intentionally misleading act or omission.
• An applicant has failed to comply with any instructions from the department relating to the selection process.
• An applicant has been dismissed for cause from any public agency, or has resigned while charges of misconduct were pending.
• An applicant has been convicted of a felony or a crime of moral turpitude.
• An applicant is a current user of a controlled substance, unless prescribed by a physician.
• An applicant is addicted to any controlled substance or intoxicant.
• An applicant has more than six (6) driver demerit points against his operator license.
• An applicant test positive for an unlawful controlled substance as determined by a blood or urine analysis.
• An applicant has tattoos that can be seen when the applicant wears a Kentucky State Police summer uniform shirt, which the Kentucky State Police will make available for the applicant to try on when the applicant takes the written examination.

EFFECTIVE MARCH 1, 2002

Agency policy requires that tattoos or body piercing shall not be visible while in any agency issued uniform.

All submitted applications must be typed or printed legibly in ink and have a copy of the following attached:

to download form)
• Copy of a certified Birth Certificate.
• Copy of a valid Drivers License.
• Official college or university transcripts (if applicable).
• Notarized letter from employer in law enforcement certifying length of employment (if applicable).
• Copy of DD214 form if a veteran of the military -or- if currently active, a notarized letter from commanding officer verifying length of service (if applicable).
• High school diploma or GED certificate required if military or law enforcement experience is used to satisfy requirements.

To download a Kentucky State Police Cadet Application, click here.

NOTE:  The Kentucky State Police Cadet application and Testing Date selection forms are provided in Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format (.pdf).  You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print the application.  Click here to download Acrobat Reader for free.

NOTE: No application can be processed without all required documents.

You can request more information on a career with the Kentucky State Police, contact our Recruitment Branch by:

Sending an e-mail message to us.

NOTE: This email address is for career inquires only. For other  information requests, please see our contact information page to determine the appropriate contact.

OR

Write or visit us during normal business hours (Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM) at the Recruitment Branch located at:

Kentucky State Police
Recruitment Branch
919 Versailles Road
Frankfort, KY 40601

OR

Call the Recruitment Branch at (502) 695-6302 or Toll-Free at 1-866-360-3165 during normal business hours (Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM).

OR

By visiting your local Kentucky State Police Post.  Click here to find the KSP Post closest to your location.