News Release
ATTORNEY GENERAL MIKE MCGRATH
STATE OF MONTANA
FOR RELEASE: September 27, 2001
CONTACT: Judy Beck or Lynn Solomon, 444-0582
HIGHWAY PATROL RECRUITING NEW OFFICERS
HELENA - The Montana Highway Patrol is reopening recruiting, seeking officer candidates for a 14½-week training school next March.
The Patrol had completed one round of recruiting in August, but Col. Bert Obert, the Patrol's chief administrator, said the Sept. 11th attacks kept some candidates from attending testing. Applicants serving in the military were unable to take pre-approved leave time, while other candidates were unable to travel. Now, the Patrol is accepting applications through October 12.
"Rather than just testing the applicants who were unable to attend the September 16th testing, we decided to open the recruiting period again," Obert said.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have either a high school diploma or a GED. In addition, they must be U.S. citizens and must be Montana residents at the time they are sworn in as officers. They also must:
- Have a valid driver's license and three years' driving experience.
- Possess binocular vision of 20/80 uncorrected, which is corrected using glasses or contact lenses to binocular vision of 20/30; normal color vision (to sufficiently distinguish red, yellow and green); 140 degrees peripheral vision, and normal depth perception.
- Pass a written examination of reading, writing and necessary law enforcement abilities.
- Pass a physical fitness test, which includes tests for aerobic endurance, strength and flexibility.
- Complete a structured oral interview before an interview panel.
- Pass a structured one-on-one pre-employment interview.
- Pass a comprehensive background investigation that, at a minimum, includes a criminal history records check, a driving records history check, previous employment reference checks, a credit check, a fingerprint check and compliance with the federal Military Selective Service Act.
- Pass a comprehensive medical examination, including a vision and hearing examination and psychological screening.
Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be willing to accept an assignment in any part of Montana and to work varied shifts, including nights, weekends and holidays, as well as unscheduled "call-outs."
Applications and information are available at Montana Job Service offices, Patrol Headquarters at 406-444-3259, or on the Department of Justice Website. More detailed information about the application and testing process is available at www.doj.mt.gov/enforcement/highwaypatrol/.
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