Mission Statement | Upcoming Test Dates | Minimum Qualifications |
Application Process | Physical Agility Test | Additional Phases of the Selection Process |
Special Requirements | Salary/Benefits | Summary of Duties/Responsibilities |
Contact Us | Frequently Asked Questions

Mission Statement
Dedicated to providing the highest degree of law enforcement service throughout the State of New Hampshire while maintaining the traditions of fairness, professionalism, and integrity.

Minimum Qualifications

A candidate must have at least ONE of the following:

Education:  Associates degree or 60 credit hours from a recognized college, university or technical institute with major study preferably in criminal justice or the equivalent.
Experience:  No experience required.

OR

Education:  H.S. Diploma, GED, or equivalent.
Experience:  Two years of experience comprised of any one of the following:
A) One year as a full time certified police officer and one year of honorable military service, either intermittently or full time, OR
B) Two years as a full time certified police officer, OR
C) Two years of honorable military service, either intermittently or full time.

Application Process

All applications should be submitted to the New Hampshire Department of Safety, Human Resources Section, at 33 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03305. Applications are available in Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Word formats. Additionally, applications may be requested from the Division of State Police Recruitment and Training Unit at (603) 271-2728.

Applicants must submit appropriate documentation (transcripts, proof of police certification, and/or verification of military service) with their applications to continue in the recruitment process.

Deadlines: Applications must be received 3 weeks prior to each test date.

Physical Agility Test

The physical agility test will be administered by the New Hampshire State Police and will take place in the Tactical Center of the Police Standards and Training facility. In order to participate in the physical agility test, you must have the pre-physical agility test medical form completed. Medical forms must be completed within six months of your assigned test date, and must be completed by either a physician, physician’s assistant, or nurse practitioner. Please do not submit your completed form with the application, rather bring it on your assigned test date and present it at check-in.

Candidates must pass each of the four events. The test has been designed to measure the ability to perform physically demanding tasks encountered in job performance. The minimum bench press weight, minimum repetitions, and maximum time allowances for each of the four phases are as follows:

Additional Phases of the Selection Process

Those candidates who successfully complete the physical agility test will be invited to a written examination that same afternoon. Candidates who obtain a score of at least 70% will advance to the comprehensive interview and possible background investigation. A passing written examination score is valid for a period of one year. All candidates will be subject to unannounced drug testing at any point during the selection process.

Once conditional offers of employment have been made, prospective appointees must successfully complete a polygraph examination, a psychological examination, a thorough medical examination, and an interview with the Director. The physician administering medical examinations will be selected by and paid by the Division of State Police. Candidates should be in excellent physical condition and take corrective measures, if necessary, before the medical examination date. No physical conditions can exist prohibiting appointees from performing the duties and responsibilities of the State Police Trooper I position.

Special Requirements

• Age/Citizenship: Must be at least 21 years of age and a U.S. citizen either prior to or on the scheduled date of examination administration.
• Eyesight and Hearing: Must have at least 20/40 in each eye uncorrected and corrected to 20/20 in each eye and have normal uncorrected depth and color perception; must possess normal hearing sufficient to enable performance of essential job functions.
• Police Officer Certification: Candidates must be able to obtain police officer certification within the time frame established by the New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Council.  Must maintain police officer certification throughout tenure of service.
• Residency:  Candidates must be willing to accept employment ANYWHERE in the state.  With offers of employment, appointees will be assigned a troop area and patrol.  Prior to completion of Phase II (Field Training Officer) Training, appointees must establish residency within their assigned patrol area.
• License/Registration:  Appointees must obtain a New Hampshire driver's license and registration within 60 days of establishing residency in New Hampshire.
• Tattoo Policy:  Candidates are prohibited from having any form of tattoo that is clearly visible outside the areas covered by the uniform of the day or by appropriate civilian attire.  Areas warranting disqualification include the head, neck, hands, and arms (if the tattoo is exposed while wearing a short-sleeved shirt).  
• Character: A history of criminal or unethical behavior will cause an applicant to be ineligible for further consideration. Please read Information on Automatic Disqualifiers.

Salary / Benefits

The starting salary for the State Police Trooper I position is $45,007.04.

Newly hired Troopers accumulate annual leave at the rate of one (1) day per month, and this leave can be used upon accrual. Sick leave is accumulated at the rate of one and one-quarter (1 1/4) days per month and can also be used upon accrual. Troopers continue to accrue annual and sick leave in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Troopers are also entitled to 12 annual holidays.

Troopers and their families receive excellent dental and health benefits with employee premiums fully paid by the State of New Hampshire. A group term life insurance benefit of $20,000 is also fully paid by the State of New Hampshire. Troopers are able to increase this coverage amount through personal contributions. Dental, health and life insurance benefits begin on the 1st of the month following 30 days of full-time State employment. Please visit http://admin.state.nh.us/hr/hr/benefits.html for more details.

Troopers are enrolled into the NH Retirement System as a condition of employment. Contributions are made by the trooper and the State of New Hampshire. Full benefits are available after 20 years service and a minimum age of 45. Please visit www.nhrs.org/ for more details.

Additionally, Troopers are eligible for tuition assistance at any of the state’s community technical colleges.

Summary of Duties / Responsibilities

• Perform traffic enforcement and law enforcement patrol functions.
• Use firearms in stressful situations with high proficiency.
• Assess situations to determine probable cause for search and arrest.
• Intervene in disputes to restore peace and ensure safety of the public.
• Arrest suspects, forcibly if necessary, and pursue/subdue resisting suspects.
• Perform rescue functions at accidents, emergencies and disasters.
• Process and transport prisoners.
• Gather information and write investigative and other reports.
• Demonstrate necessary communicative skills to prosecute cases in court.

View the Class Specification for additional job description details.

Contact Us

New Hampshire State Police
Recruitment & Training Unit
33 Hazen Drive
Concord, NH 03305
Phone: (603) 271-2728
Fax: (603) 271-6214
e-mail: recruitment@dos.nh.gov