Northwest Iowa — ‘Side With Us’ is a campaign started last year by the Iowa State Patrol in an effort to reduced traffic fatalities on Iowa’s roadways. Iowa State Patrol Trooper Kevin Krull says there’s a new phase for ‘Side With Us’ this year.
(As above) “We’re actually asking people to literally side with us and come fill out an application and maybe see if they’ve got what it takes to be a state trooper, and we’re actively the process is open right now it’s kind of a lengthy process but if you choose to side with us literally you can drive around in the squad car and get to see the country in the local area and meet and greet lots of nice residents of the state of Iowa.”
Trooper Krull says that, contrary to popular belief, a person does NOT need to have a 4-year Criminal Justice degree to become a trooper.
(As above) “It’s nice to have that background and education but realistically you’re going to go to the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy or if you sign up with us inside with the state patrol you’re going to end up being going to the state police officer Academy we’re going to train you in all aspects of our job so that you’re able to do it once complete the academy you get to do a ride-along with our field training officers and they’ll do the Hands-On actually literally hands on where you’re out there working and doing the job and then once you complete that you’ll be on your own.”
He talks about the type of candidate the Iowa State Patrol is looking for.
(As above) “We’re looking for somebody of high moral character somebody is going to just kind of that person that’s like yeah I could see that person being a trooper you know it’s that person that is there to help you’re going to want to help people and people that are doing the right thing if you’re out there practicing your high speed driving and getting caught doing that on the on your own time that’s probably not somebody were looking for we’re not looking for that person that’s always getting into fights you want to be able to defend yourself but we’re looking for the guy that can actually and gal they can actually just keep people keep the peace with using their words rise in their hands if they if it all possible.”
Trooper Krull says there are certain things that can qualify you, or disqualify you, to become an Iowa State Trooper.
(As above) “There’s several things that will disqualify you and I guess the best way to do that is you can go to the web page DPS careers.com and that has our web page and it has the spot where you can actually see what what individual eyes training we’re going to give you but it also talks about what are the minimum qualifications so talk about the education level for the different avenues that you’ll choose with our department but he also talks about if you had an OWI recent OWI you’re going to be out now used to be if you had an OWI you were out for life but now they’ve loosened that up to understand that there’s those individuals that maybe have one in their background from years and years ago and they’ve they’ve learned their lesson and know what they did wrong but you just not going to be able to do the job if you have that in your background.”
If you missed that website for more information on becoming an Iowa State Trooper, you can get to the site by CLICKING HERE.
