The Pennsylvania State Police is a full service agency. Duties include uniform patrol, crash investigation, criminal investigation, and responding to any police related incident. PA State Troopers provide primary police coverage in over 1,200 municipalities on a permanent basis, accounting for over 60% of the Commonwealth’s municipalities. Troopers also patrol all interstate and state highways. Troopers patrol 85% of the Commonwealth’s land area and 66% of the Commonwealth’s highways.

IN ADDITION TO PATROL SERVICES AND COMPLETE LAW ENFORCEMENT COVERAGE IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS, PSP PROVIDES A VARIETY OF SUPPORT AND TECHNICAL SERVICES ENCOMPASSING OVER 100 DIFFERENT CAREER FIELDS (See Career Opportunities).

These services are provided not only to areas of primary PSP patrol coverage, but PSP also supports municipal law enforcement agencies through specially trained members and civilians, including Special Emergency Response Teams, Forensics Services Units, Mounted Units, Criminal Profilers, Major Case Teams, Fugitive Units, Organized Crime, Aviation Units, Motorcycle Patrol Units, Hazardous Devices and Explosives Units, just to name a few.

TROOPER ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS


  • Effects an arrest, forcibly if necessary, using handcuffs and other restraints; subdue resisting suspects using maneuvers and weapons and resort to the use of hands and feet and other approved weapons in self-defense.
  • Prepare investigative and other reports, including sketches, using appropriate grammar, symbols and mathematical computations.
  • Exercise independent judgment in determining when there is reasonable suspicion to detain, when probable cause exists to search and arrest and when force may be used and to what degree.
  • Operate a law enforcement vehicle during both the day and night; in emergency situations involving speeds in excess of posted limits, in congested traffic and in unsafe road conditions caused by factors such as fog, smoke, rain, ice and snow.
  • Communicate effectively and coherently over law enforcement radio channels while initiating and responding to radio communications.
  • Gather information in criminal investigations by interviewing and obtaining the statements of victims, witnesses, suspects and confidential informers.
  • Pursue fleeing suspects and perform rescue operations which may involve quickly entering and exiting law enforcement vehicles; lifting, carrying and dragging heavy objects; climbing over and pulling up oneself over obstacles; jumping down from elevated surfaces; climbing through openings; jumping over obstacles, ditches and streams; crawling in confined areas; balancing on uneven or narrow surfaces and using body force to gain entrance through barriers.
  • Load, unload, aim and fire using each hand from a variety of body positions handguns, shotguns and other agency firearms under conditions of stress that justify the use of deadly force and at levels of proficiency prescribed in certification standards.
  • Perform searches of people, vehicles, buildings and large outdoor areas which may involve feeling and detecting objects, walking for long periods of time, detaining people and stopping suspicious vehicles and persons.
  • Conduct visual and audio surveillance for extended periods of time.
  • Engage in law enforcement patrol functions that include such things as working rotating shifts, walking on foot patrol and physically checking the doors and windows of buildings to ensure they are secure.
  • Effectively communicate with people, including juveniles, by giving information and directions, mediating disputes and advising of rights and processes.
  • Demonstrate communication skills in court and other formal settings.
  • Detect and collect evidence and substances which: provide the basis of criminal offenses or infractions; and/or indicate the presence of dangerous conditions.
  • Endure verbal and mental abuse when confronted with the hostile views and opinions of suspects and other people encountered in an antagonistic environment.
  • Perform rescue functions at accidents, emergencies and disasters to include directing traffic for long periods of time, administering emergency medical aid, lifting, dragging and carrying people away from dangerous situations and securing and evacuating people from particular areas.
  • Process and transport prisoners and committed mental patients using handcuffs and other appropriate restraints.
  • Put on and operate a gas mask in situations where chemical munitions are being deployed.
  • Extinguish small fires by using a fire extinguisher and other appropriate means.
  • Read and comprehend legal and non-legal documents, including the preparation and processing of such documents as citations, affidavits and warrants.
  • Process arrested suspects to include taking their photographs and obtaining a legible set of inked fingerprint impressions.
  • Possess and demonstrate the ability to receive, process, comprehend, and execute verbal and written orders and/or instructions from superiors.

NOTE: The successful applicant must be able to perform ALL of the above essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation upon completion of the training program.

The Pennsylvania State Police is an Equal Opportunity Employer.