Nebraska State Patrol Trooper Application Process

Nebraska State Patrol Trooper Application Process

Follow these five steps to get from application to hire

Salary & Benefits

Salary & Benefits
Salary & Benefits

Officer Candidates earn $27.462 per hour during camp. After graduation, the Trooper's pay will be $31.50 per hour ($65,520 annually) or $32.29 per hour if qualification for bilingual ability has been determined by the agency (which is 2.5% higher than the base hourly rate of a new Trooper). 

The State Law Enforcement Bargaining Council (SLEBC) is currently the collective bargaining unit for troopers. Collective bargaining will have an influence on wages, benefits, and working conditions. Click on the associated links below for more information on some specific areas of benefits for NSP employees.

Duty Station Assignments

Duty Station Assignments
Duty Station Assignments

As Nebraska's only statewide, full-service law enforcement agency, NSP has opportunities to serve across the entire state.

Applicants who receive a Final Interview at the end of the selection process will be given the opportunity to request a specific Troop Area from the available locations. If the candidates accepts a Final Offer of Employment, they will know at that time if their requested location has been approved. 

Once you start your career as a Nebraska State Patrol Trooper, lateral transfer semi-annual postings provide the opportunity to request a new duty station to available vacancies.   Generally, once a Trooper has been employed for two years, they are eligible to transfer to a different duty station, based on staffing needs for the Troop Areas.

Horizontal Tabs

Step 1
Step 1

Application

Applications for Camp 71 are coming later this year. Check out the opportunities and benefits of a career as a Nebraska State Trooper at NebraskaTroopers.com.

 

Step 2
Step 2

Written Exam and Physical Abilities
 

WRITTEN EXAM

Approved applicants will be invited to take the remote on-line Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE), which includes Reading and Language, in a virtually proctored environment; in person paper testing is also offered.  If an applicant has previously taken and passed the TABE with another agency such as NLETC or Morrow & Associates, they may provide verification of those results when invited to test with the Patrol.  If an applicant has previously taken the TABE with the Patrol and passed, they are not required to retest.  

 

 

PHYSICAL ABILITIES TESTING (PAT)

Applicants who pass the written exam (TABE) will need to pass the PAT, which consists of a timed 1.5 mile run, Dummy Drag, Run with Obstacle, Scale Lift and Carry, Handle Weapons, and Body Mass Index (BMI) measurement.  PAT is done in Grand Island at the Training Academy only.  

Male Age 1.5 Mile Run Time Female Age 1.5 Mile Run Time
20-39 15:10 20-39 18:30
40-49 16:00 40-49 19:20
50-59 17:36 50-59 20:45

 Click here for the the Candidate Preparation for Physical Abilities Handbook.

Step 3
Step 3

Personal History, Background Investigation, Employment Review Board
 

Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ)

Applicants will received the PHQ instructions via email.  The PHQ must be completed by the deadline identified in the email. Non-completion will result in removal from the process.

Background Investigation

The Nebraska State Patrol will conduct a complete and thorough background investigation on each applicant that moves forward in the process. It is a good idea to begin gathering copies of the following for the Background Investigator well ahead of this step:

  1. A photocopy of your certified birth certificate (not hospital copy)

  2. A photocopy of your valid driver's license

  3. A copy of DD214 military records (if applicable)

  4. A copy of your high school diploma or GED certificate; home school curriculum transcripts are also acceptable.

  5. Copies of your college transcript or degree (if applicable)

  6. Naturalization forms (if applicable)

  7. A copy of your credit report

Employment Review Board (ERB)

The Nebraska State Patrol is committed to hiring individuals who exemplify the agency's values by providing the highest quality of law enforcement and services to the citizens. The ERB is responsible for reviewing the background to ensure the best candidates are selected. The ERB is comprised of NSP sworn officers who can communicate the perspective of one or more of the racial, ethnic, or gender groups protected by the state and federal EEO laws.

 

Step 4
Step 4

CONDITIONAL OFFER:  Polygraph, Psychological EVALUATION, AND Medical Exam
 

Polygraph Examination

The examination is conducted by a NSP polygraph examiner. The background investigation information, application, and questionnaire are provided to the examiner to assist with conducting the polygraph examination. The examiner will question the applicant in the areas of honest, integrity, character, and loyalty. The polygraph examiner will submit a report for review to the Adminstrative Review Board. 

psychological POST CONDITIONAL OFFER EVALUATION

Applicants will be scheduled for a series of written psychological examinations and a psychological interview in Lincoln at Nebraska State Patrol State Headquarters

COMPLETE Medical Examination

The examination will take place at a facility which has been contracted by the NSP following the policy and procedures outlined by the Nebraska State Patrol and the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Academy. The exam will include, but is not limited to, such items as a blood draw, a complete physical, vision and hearing tests.

Step 5
Step 5

Final Interview
 

Following successful completion of all necessary prior steps, applicants will be invited to a final interview with Nebraska State Patrol Command Staff.  

 

Law Enforcement Certification Standards


Admission requirements:  https://ncc.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/doc/Chapter-08.pdf

If you have questions or would like additional information about the Nebraska State Patrol Sworn Officer Selection Process, please call us at JOIN NSP (866-564-6677) or email nsp.recruiter@nebraska.gov
 

*The Nebraska State Patrol is an Equal Opportunity Employer*

We are dedicated to assuring equal employment opportunity to qualified applicants and employees in all aspects of personnel administration without regard to political affiliation, race, color, national origin, sex, age, marital status, mental or physical disability, or religious creed.