WHP looking for qualified applicants

The Wyoming Highway Patrol (WHP) currently has trooper, dispatcher and port of entry positions to fill throughout the state.

Troopers work daily to ensure the roads are safe for the traveling public, and dispatchers and port of entry officers provide support services to the WHP as a whole to support the agency’s safety mission.

The WHP currently has 30 trooper vacancies to fill throughout the state. In March, WHP commissioned four new troopers. Typically, WHP holds two commissioning ceremonies each year. “Commissioning ceremonies before the Wyoming Supreme Court are a longstanding tradition at the WHP and occur when trooper cadets graduate academy training and are sworn in becoming full-fledged troopers,” Colonel Kebin Haller said. 

“When you become a member of the Wyoming Highway Patrol, you become part of an elite team that helps keep Wyoming safe; members are considered, Guardians of the Cowboy State. Our troopers are out there every day ensuring the roads are safe for the traveling public. Our port of entry and dispatch personnel help support our agency as a whole and are equally vital to our overall safety mission,” Haller said. 

When fully staffed, the WHP has 168 full-time sworn troopers. Although Patrol has 30 trooper openings or about a 18 percent vacancy rate, that’s not an unusual number of vacancies for law enforcement and even the state of Wyoming. The Wyoming Department of Administration and Information reported a turnover rate of 15 percent based on its latest figures of state employment in 2016. 

“Other state patrols and state police agencies throughout the country are experiencing manpower concerns similar to those found in the Wyoming Highway Patrol,” said WYDOT Director Bill Panos. “This is challenging for our personnel and their families. To respond, we’re actively recruiting more personnel, creating a great work environment, and improving the lives of our Troopers, Dispatchers and Port of Entry teams.”

WHY BECOME A WHP TROOPER

WHP troopers perform a variety of law enforcement duties to ensure the public is safe. “These duties include identifying violations of law that include not only traffic offenses, but drug trafficking, human/sex and labor trafficking, homeland security, impaired driving, and many others.” The WHP has several special duties that troopers can perform. There are currently ten (10) drug detection K-9’s assigned to troopers in the state to assist with drug violations, as well as an Executive Protection Detail charged with the security and protection of the governor that includes two explosive detection K-9s. The WHP also has a “Crash Investigation Team”, of selected troopers who receive extensive advanced training in the investigation of vehicle crashes, primarily when fatalities are involved. Several troopers throughout the state specialize in motor carrier inspection and enforcement of vehicles traveling on Wyoming's roads. In addition, the WHP participates on the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation Enforcement Teams. Currently, the WHP has three troopers assigned as Task Force Officers (TFOs) to DCI Enforcement Teams, to assist with the interruption of criminal activity, and gain additional investigative training and experience.  The WHP is well known for their Honor Guard unit that is made up of troopers who perform ceremonial duties for special events  “There are many opportunities at the WHP and we are looking for individuals interested in the law enforcement profession who want to make a difference and have a positive impact throughout the State of Wyoming,” Haller said.  

WHAT ELSE THE WHP DOES

The Wyoming Highway Patrol Communications Center is located in Cheyenne. WHP dispatchers provide the vital communications link between the public and emergency services.  With an emphasis on officer safety, WHP dispatchers ensure troopers receive necessary assistance.  They work with the National Criminal Information Center and receive information from the public and relay it to troopers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.  Dispatchers are the vital communication link between the public and emergency services. Dispatchers also perform Amber Alerts and Endangered Person Advisories for the State of Wyoming by providing information for public awareness, and ways to contact law enforcement. In addition, dispatchers work directly with Wyoming’s Safe2Tell Program. Dispatchers receive information that is reported by students, parents, teachers and community members on a confidential tip line, confidential online web report, or a confidential mobile app. This information is then entered into the Safe2Tell system and shared with proper officials, designated school contacts and law enforcement, who respond to the concern or threat. It is also common for WHP dispatchers to communicate and coordinate with law enforcement and emergency response agencies throughout the state. 

“Dispatchers are a critical component and the glue of the WHP. Our dispatchers are very well trained and key members of the WHP team; providing timely and accurate information to our troopers and the public,” Haller said. 

Port of Entry officer positions are in various places in the state, based on the location of the ports. “We have 14 ports located throughout the state. Our officer’s work closely with commercial vehicles and drivers, conducting inspections of trucks, trailers and loads, as well as speaking with drivers and reviewing required paperwork. These officers ensure that these large and heavy vehicles are safe to travel in our state and are also key members of the WHP team,” Haller said.  

INTERESTED APPLICANTS

Although candidates applying for any Patrol position and any position with the state go through a state-approved screening and hiring process, candidates for trooper undergo a battery of tests and assessments including physical fitness and psychological evaluation. After applying and getting selected, Patrol officials perform extensive background investigations. Those who successfully pass, proceed to academy training where they undergo extensive physical and classroom training. Some of the topics learned in the classroom include firearms, commercial carrier operations, emergency vehicle operations, custody and control, crash investigation and others.

“If you have what it takes; integrity, courage, and discipline I encourage you to contact the WHP to schedule a visit with a trooper, dispatcher or port of entry officer to learn more,” Haller said. 

To learn more about the WHP and how to become a trooper, dispatcher or port of entry officer please contact:

Sergeant Kyle McKay at (307) 777-4306 or visit WHP's website. To apply to become a trooper, visit Wyoming’s Administration and Information website.

Also visit Wyoming Highway Patrol Facebook page.