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The South Dakota Highway Patrol (SDHP) provides an exciting and meaningful career that goes beyond the highway. Today, nearly 200 State Troopers provide assistance, education, and enforcement to state citizens and provide for safe, efficient movement of traffic on South Dakota's roadways. Troopers also investigate and reconstruct serious crashes, assist other law enforcement agencies, investigate crimes, and serve as vital components of the state's homeland security. The South Dakota Highway Patrol offers certified law enforcement officers a hiring incentive, an expedited training academy, and increased pay. Individuals who are not certified will be trained for the position of State Trooper. 

The South Dakota Highway Patrol offers a variety of career-enhancing opportunities, to include, but not limited to: Crash Investigations, PSD (K9), Criminal/Drug Interdiction, S.W.A.T., Drug Recognition Expert, Defensive Tactics/Firearms Instructor, Mobile Field Force Operator, EVOI (Emergency Vehicle Operations Instructor), Honor Guard, Tactical Flight Officer (TFO), Highway Patrol Academy Instruction, L.E.T. Instruction, Protection of Dignitaries. 

Working Conditions or Other Specific Requirements

Ability to sit, stand, walk, run, kneel, crouch, stoop, squat, crawl, twist, climb, and lift 100 lbs.; exposure to cold, heat, noise, outdoors, vibration, confining work space, chemicals, explosive materials, mechanical hazards, and electrical hazards; ability to travel to different sites and locations throughout the State of South Dakota. Shift work includes, but is not limited to, days, nights, weekends, holidays, on-call, and stand-by.

Applicants shall meet the following minimum requirements:

  • United States citizenship; 
  • Must be 21 years of age by October 5, 2025; 
  • Possession of or ability to obtain a South Dakota driver's license; 
  • Possess at least 20/20 binocular vision with or without corrective lenses. Color, depth, and field of view must be normal as determined by an optometric examination; 
  • Using the average of readings at 500, 1000, and 3000 Hz, hearing shall be at a decibel loss of no more than 35 dB in each ear uncorrected; 
  • Applicant shall be free of any chronic disease or organic or functional defect, as determined by a medical examination, that would impair performance of the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation; 
  • Applicant shall be capable of passing physical agility tests, push-ups, sit-ups, vertical jump, and a one and one-half mile run; 
  • The applicant shall comply with the South Dakota Highway Patrol Tattoo, Body Piercing, and Body Modification Policy. 

Successful applicant(s) will be required to undergo a background investigation. An arrest/conviction record will not necessarily bar employment. Offers of employment are conditional upon successfully completing a drug screening.

Licenses and Certifications

  • Valid Driver's License
  • High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
  • Current Certified Law Enforcement Officers must provide current Licenses and Certifications.
  • Out-of-State Applicants must provide current Law Enforcement Licenses and Certifications. 
  • Non-Certified Applicants shall attend the 13-Week Basic Law Enforcement Academy (L.E.T.) in Pierre, SD, to obtain Certification. Following the Basic Law Enforcement  Academy, applicants shall attend a 10-week Highway Patrol Recruit Academy. 

The Ideal Candidate Will Have

The ideal candidate will have uncompromising integrity, a strong work ethic, good judgment and problem-solving skills, and an enthusiastic passion for law enforcement and a strong commitment to serving the citizens and visitors of the State of South Dakota.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Complete a certified police academy. Learn the functions and objectives of Federal, State, and other local law enforcement agencies. Learn basic principles of criminal law. Learn principles and practices of community policing. Learn modern police methods and procedures related to patrol, apprehension, arrest, search and seizure, traffic control, and investigation and identification techniques, including interviewing. Learn law enforcement theory, principles, and practices and their application to various services and programs. Learn State Geography, public buildings, and businesses in assigned areas. Learn recent court decisions and how they affect the agency and divisions' operations. Learn self-defense tactics. Learn, correctly interpret, and make decisions per Federal, State, and Local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations. Learn to gather, assemble, analyze, evaluate, and use facts and evidence. Observe and accurately remember names, faces, numbers, incidents, and places. Prepare clear and concise reports. Analyze situations quickly and objectively, and determine the proper course of action. Act swiftly and calmly in emergencies. Meet and deal with the public professionally, tactfully, and effectively. Meet the physical requirements necessary to safely and effectively perform the assigned duties. Exercise good judgment, flexibility, creativity, and sensitivity in response to changing situations and needs. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Establish and maintain positive working relationships with those contacted during work.