Applications are available throughout the state at all DSP troops, as well as at Headquarters in Dover. Applications may also be downloaded from this web site. (See Important Docs Section to the left)

In order to be eligible to compete in the selection process, applicants must submit a completed application to:

• Delaware State Police
  Human Resources Office
  PO Box 430
  Dover, DE 19903

A COMPLETED PHYSICIAN'S AUTHORIZATION FORM IS NEEDED PRIOR TO TAKING THE PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST

Qualifications

Before submitting an application, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Citizenship- Applicant must be a United States citizen.

Age- Applicants must reach their 21st birthday prior to completion of the Academy training, and must not be older than 39 on the first day of the Academy.

Education- Applicant must have a high school diploma or GED, and have attained a minimum of 60 semester credits, or 90 quarter credits, from an accredited college or university. OR, must have 30 college credits along with either two years of active duty military service, OR two years as a full time, Delaware-certified police officer. (60 college credits are required to compete for the rank of Sergeant, and a Bachelor's Degree is required to compete for the ranks of Lieutenant and above)

Residence- No requirement at time of application, however Delaware residency is required at the completion of the academy training. Troopers are subject to assignment in any part of the state.

Driver's License- Applicant must have a current valid driver's license and at least one (1) year of driving experience. A DUI conviction within 5 years, or a suspension or revocation within 3 years, is an automatic disqualification. A history of traffic violations, or an accumulation of six (6) or more points, is an automatic disqualification.

Criminal Record and Activity- Any felony conviction is an automatic disqualification. Any criminal activity that would be considered a felony under federal law of the state in which the activity occurred is a disqualification. Arrests for any offense must be expunged, and conviction of any offense must be pardoned, prior to submitting an application. (Arrest or conviction for all other crimes and offenses are subject to evaluation.)

Drug Usage- Use of an illegal drug two years prior to application, or at any time usage of a hallucinogenic drug, will be an automatic disqualification. All other drug usage is subject to review.

*Weight- Weight must be in compliance with the Delaware State Police weight chart or maximum allowed body fat percentage. (See Weight Standards under Important Documents)

*Hearing- Normal hearing.

*Vision- Visual acuity can be no worse than 20/40 in each eye, uncorrected, and must be corrected to 20/20 with glasses or gas permeable contacts; or, 20/100 in each eye uncorrected and must be corrected to 20/20 with soft contacts lens only. Normal color vision and normal depth perception.

*(Following an offer of employment, the selected applicants will be examined by the Division's heath providers for compliance with the above requirements, and will be given a complete medical examination to determine if the applicant is able to perform essential job functions.)

Job Elements

To perform the duties of State Trooper, an applicant must demonstrate good judgment, thoroughness, conscientiousness, common sense, motivation, and enthusiasm for the job. Troopers must be dependable and willing to get involved in order to help deal with the problems of today's society. Troopers must be able to assume responsibility, make decisions often under pressure, work without supervision, follow orders, function in physical danger, act under pressure, communicate well, and combine physical and mental resources.

Duties and Responsibilities A Delaware State Trooper performs the following duties of patrol, investigation, troop duties, maintenance activities, and special assignments:

• Patrol duties involve directing traffic; assisting lost, stranded or disabled motorist; approaching motorist on routine or non-routine violations; making arrests; controlling crowds; and supporting other troopers in stressful situations. Other patrol duties involve inspecting and safeguarding property, responding to bank alarms, chasing violators on foot, checking buildings at night for burglaries. Investigative duties include interviewing complainants and witnesses; aiding injured people; handling fatal accidents and crime scenes; responding to complaints involving vicious animals; using deadly force; interrogating suspects; and executing search and arrest warrants.
• Troopers are required to perform troop duties such as sending and receiving radio and teletype messages; maintaining troop records; responding to telephone inquires concerning such things as road conditions, locations, and the law; and preparing written memoranda and reports.
• Troopers must maintain a good personal appearance and physical condition. Troopers are tested on a regular basis throughout their career to ensure they maintain sufficient aerobic capacity, muscular strength, muscular endurance, coordination, flexibility, percentage of body fat, and sufficient levels of neurological senses to safety and effectively perform job functions. Other responsibilities include proper care of division equipment, uniforms, and vehicles; and maintaining a clean and orderly troop.
• Assignments are varied and may include securing major disaster areas, participating in community and public relations programs, escorting dignitaries, conducting speeches or lectures, training recruits and or counseling youth. Manpower scheduling includes working weekends, holidays, overtime, and inclement weather. Assignments may be physically demanding including shift work. Patrol officers normally work a twelve (12) hour rotating shift, working a maximum of three (3) consecutive days. Troopers are frequently required to either substantially delay or forego regular meals.

The duties of a trooper may become unpredictably hazardous and require acute use of senses to discern various stimuli of danger. Troopers typically operate alone and backup assistance is frequently not immediately available. Troopers are often required without preparation to run long distances, traverse rough terrain quickly, climb obstacles, remove injured of unconscious people from harms way, engage in physical confrontations using offensive and defensive tactics to subdue combative individuals, and to effect a forceful arrest.

Salary/Benefits

• Competitive Salary - During Training $43,651 After Training $49,737
• Excellent pension plan-(option to retire after 20 years of service at 50% of salary, 67% of salary at 25 years of service and 85% of salary at 30 years of service. Retirement is mandatory at age 55.)
• State-share health insurance
• Uniforms provided/cleaned by the Division
• Liberal vacation and sick leave
• College tuition assistance
• Blood bank membership
• Eligible membership for employee's credit union
• Take home car with state of the art information technology
• Deferred Compensation/Investment Plan
• 12 hour shifts
• Tax Deferred Medical/Child Care Program

Selection Process

The selection process for the position of Trooper includes the following:

• Written Examination
• Oral Board Interview
• Physical Fitness Test
• Polygraph Examination
• Background Investigation

Written Examination:

Consists of the following three multiple-choice examinations:

• Written Test: Measures cognitive abilities in the areas of memorization, visualization, reasoning, spatial orientation, written expression, written comprehension, problem sensitivity and information ordering.
• Work Styles Inventory: Measures motivational, value-related and attitudinal characteristics.
• Selections Survey: Measures past history and experience.

Physical Fitness Test:

Applicants are evaluated on the following:

• Aerobic Capacity: 1.5 Mile Run
• Strength: Push-ups (as many as possible in one minute)
• Endurance: Sit-ups (as many as possible in one minute)

See Important Docs for the DSP PT Minimum Requirements**

Oral Board Interview

Measures the ability to communicate information or ideas to other people in the areas of reasoning, oral expression and comprehension.

Polygraph Interview

Focuses in the areas of criminal activity, drug usage, employment, financial credit and driving history.

Background Investigation

Includes interviews with the candidate's family, friends, neighbors, supervisors, co-workers, acquaintances, etc. The investigator will also verify the candidate's education, employment, military, financial, criminal and traffic history.

An offer of employment to selected applicants, will be contingent upon the successful completion of a comprehensive medical examination, eye examination, psychological examination, and a final physical fitness assessment.

Training Academy

The Delaware State Police Training Academy is located in Dover, the capitol of Delaware, and has long been recognized as a leader in the field of training recruits and in-service personnel.

Recruit troopers reside full time (with weekends off) at the training facility for approximately 22 weeks of intensive and comprehensive police training. Studies involve a wide variety of topics including laws of arrest, criminal procedures, search and seizure, verbal judo, computer science, firearms proficiency, cultural diversity, and crisis intervention.

Upon successful completion of the live-in academy process, the recruit trooper is assigned to various troop locations for an additional 12 weeks of field training with veteran officers.

Applicants must obtain Delaware residency and a Delaware driver's license prior to their Field Training assignment.

Cadet Program

In 1998, the Delaware State Police Cadet Program was authorized under the enabling legislation of House Bill # 478, which passed both houses during the 139th Session of the General Assembly.

Minimum Qualifications includes:

• Education- Candidates must be currently enrolled in a Delaware college or university (full-time or part-time)
• Age- Candidates must be between the ages of 18-21
• Citizenship- Candidates must be a citizen of the United States
• Driver's License- Candidates must possess a valid driver's license

Selection Process includes:

• A formal State of Delaware application
• An Oral Board Interview
• A Background Check

Those candidates who demonstrate a degree of professionalism, skill, and character are representative of the qualities valued by the department and it's members. Cadets receive their training at the Delaware State Police Training Academy, which includes 36 hours of classroom and practical training. Once hired and trained, the cadets are considered part-time seasonal employees and work between 10-15 hours per week while receiving wages and completing their college degrees.

HB 478 authorizes cadets to enforce handicapped parking and fire lane violations while allowing troopers to enforce other criminal and traffic laws as well as engage in a myriad of community initiatives. As the cadet program expands, so too, will the responsibilities and duties of the cadets

Internship

The Delaware State Police promotes higher education, by inviting college students to complete internships within the department. College interns have an opportunity to enrich their academic experience by being assigned to various Troops and specialized sections throughout the division.

Eligible Interns must:

• Complete a State of Delaware application
• Undergo a criminal background check
• A one-on-one interview with the internship coordinator
• Be either attending a Delaware college OR be from the state of Delaware
• Be receiving college credit for serving an internship
• Be aware that internships are unpaid positions

Applications are available online Download Here

The college internship program coordinator will facilitate the internship while communicating with the involved college or university to monitor progress.