‘Guardians of the Cowboy State’, the Wyoming Highway Patrol is always looking for fresh faces in their team. It is the de facto state police agency for the state of Wyoming, and is working day and night to protect its citizens from various kinds of criminal activities.
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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.