PIERRE, S.D. (Press Release) – South Dakota’s Highway Patrol is looking for a group of new troopers to carry the agency through the new decade and beyond.

Applications are now being accepted for the Patrol’s next hiring period. Deadline to apply is Feb. 28.

“With recent retirements and other departures, we have positions to fill throughout the state,” says Department of Public Safety Cabinet Secretary Craig Price. “That means we are looking to hire as many qualified men and women we can. We hope our new recruiting class is a big one.”

The hiring process includes a physical test, interviews and other examinations. Once the recruits are hired, those who are not currently certified as law enforcement officers in South Dakota or another state must first attend the 13-week South Dakota Law Enforcement Training Academy. That is followed by the South Dakota Highway Patrol Recruit Academy which lasts 10 weeks and is followed by another 10 weeks training in the field.

“We always tell the prospective hires that this is a lengthy and detailed process, but we want it to be that way,” says Highway Patrol Superintendent Col. Rick Miller. “We want to leave no stone unturned in finding the most talented people we can.”

A current 12-member Highway Patrol recruit class, which started last year, will graduate this April.

Application information can be found under the “Search for Jobs” section of the Bureau of Human Resources website at https://bhr.sd.gov/job-seekers/. If you have further questions or to contact a highway patrol recruiter you can email highwaypatrolcareers@state.sd.us.

The Highway Patrol is part of the Department of Public Safety.