State Patrol Trooper

Applications for the Minnesota State Patrol LETO Program will be accepted from March 3, 2025 until 11:59 p.m. on March 30, 2025 at www.mntrooper.com. This position leads to appointment as a State Patrol Trooper. 

The LETO Program is designed for candidates with no previous law enforcement experience, who have a 2- or 4-year degree in any discipline and want to become State Troopers. To qualify, the applicant must have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a regionally accredited institution by May 27, 2025. 

Duties of a State Patrol Trooper 

• Patrol state highways, promote safety, direct traffic, and investigate crashes. 

• Enforce traffic laws, arrest offenders, and appear as a court witness. 

• Provide routine and emergency assistance to the motoring public, including administering first aid to the injured. 

• Cooperate with other law enforcement agencies in the pursuit and apprehension of violators of criminal laws. 

• Uphold the MSP core values of Respect, Integrity, Courage, Honor and Excellence. 

• Uphold the Mission Statement of the State Patrol to protect and serve, provide support, and provide for the state. 

• Uphold the MSP Vision – The MSP is a progressive law enforcement agency providing superior service to Minnesota’s residents, visitors, and allied agency. The MSP strives for excellence in all that they do through the development of forward-thinking leadership, technology, innovation and a quality workforce. 

State Patrol Troopers generally work either an eight- or ten-hour day, 40 hours per week, including Saturdays, Sundays, nights, and holidays as required.

LETO Program 

LETO Program consists of an academic learning environment combined with a physical skills training program. Candidates will be required to pass all these areas prior to the completion of the school. LETO training will take place at Hennepin Technical College. 

An applicant who accepts a final offer of employment with the MSP and participate in the LETO program shall be required to sign a two-year written agreement. This agreement requires a two-year work commitment with the MSP. While participating in the LETO portion of the program, candidates are not compensated for meals and lodging, but are paid an hourly wage.

Compensation 

Tuition for successful candidate’s attendance at the Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Education Center where LETO is held will be paid for by the Minnesota State Patrol. Trooper Trainees will be paid 80% of the base salary of a State Trooper (based on step 1 of the Trooper salary range). Tuition for successful candidate’s attendance at the subsequent Training Academy will be paid for by the Minnesota State Patrol. Trooper Trainees will be paid 100% of the base salary of a State Trooper (based on step 1 of the Trooper salary range) during the Trooper Training Academy. 

Upon completion of training and appointment as State Patrol Trooper, Probationary Troopers will receive Trooper base pay of $79,469/year or $38.06/hour (plus any applicable contract adjustments). Top trooper pay of $106,572/year or $51.04/hour is reached after 8 years. The starting and maximum pay listed does not include freeway pay if assigned to the Twin Cities metropolitan area (about 2.6%).

Training Academy 

The State Patrol Training Academy will take place at Camp Ripley military base located at 15000 State Highway 115, Little Falls, Minnesota 56345 from Sunday night through Friday evening, during the residential portion of their training. Candidates will be furnished meals and lodging while attending training at Camp Ripley. Candidates are required to pass all areas of training.

Proposed Timetable for the Minnesota State Patrol Trooper Selection Process 

Applications Accepted March 3 - 30, 2025 

Physical Fitness Testing/Interview Boards April 2 - 3, 2025 

Background Investigations April 9 – June 3, 2025 

Conditional Offers June 16, 2025 

Medical Exams and Psychological Evaluations June 18 – July 11, 2025 

Final Offers July 18, 2025 

Fingerprinting and Orientation July 22, 2025 

LETO Starts August 4, 2025 

Trooper Training Academy January 12, 2026 

If you experience problems submitting your online application or have questions, please contact the Application Coordinator at the Minnesota State Patrol Training & Development Section: Patrol.Applicant@state.mn.us, (651) 757-1902 or (651) 757-1900.