If you think you have what it takes to be a part of this prestigious agency, you ought to continue reading about how to become a police officer in Wyoming. The following guide lists the details about requirements, salary and growth opportunities for police officers in the Cowboy State.
Requirements to Become a Police Officer in Wyoming
According to the official Wyoming Highway Patrol website, aspiring law enforcement officials need to meet the following requirements to be eligible for application:
- Candidate must be 21 years of age on or before the date of hire
- Candidate must possess at least a high school diploma or a GED
- Candidate must have 2 years of experience working with the public
- Candidate must be a citizen of the US
- Candidate must not have been convicted of any felony
- Candidate must have a valid driver’s license for the state of Wyoming
- Candidate must have a visual acuity of 20/20 in each eye or correctable to 20/20. Candidate must be a contact wearer for at least 6 months prior to appointment to recruit school. Any surgery performed to improve visual acuity should have been done at least 6 months before appointment to recruit school
- Candidates must be in a good physical and mental shape
- Candidates must clear all written, oral and psychological tests, including a polygraph test and an interview with a panel of law enforcement officers
- Candidate must clear a drug screen test
How Much Does a Police Office Make in Wyoming?
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers made an annual mean income of $55,050 in May 2018 in Wyoming. The state had an employment of 1,130 in this occupation category. The top paying industry for this category nationally was the State Government, paying $72,850, followed by the Local Government, paying $65,210. The highest concentration of employment for Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers was in the Local Government, which had 562,570 persons employed.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Police Officer in Wyoming?
The application process for becoming a police officer in Wyoming can take up to several weeks to complete. If you are shortlisted and hired, you will then have to enroll in a police training academy, which can take 6 to 8 months to complete. However, if you choose to go for an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, you are looking at an additional time investment of 2 to 4 years.
Career Outlook for Police Officers in Wyoming
According to O*Net Online, Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers in Wyoming can expect a job growth of 5% between 2016 and 2026.