Aviation
SOAR TO NEW HEIGHTS
Aviation
SOAR TO NEW HEIGHTS
The Department provides statewide law enforcement, air rescue, medical, and fixed wing aviation services. With a combination of fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft, the Department covers all 114,000 square miles within Arizona’s borders.
Aviation
SOAR TO NEW HEIGHTS
The Department provides statewide law enforcement, air rescue, medical, and fixed wing aviation services. With a combination of fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft, the Department covers all 114,000 square miles within Arizona’s borders.
Special Operations Unit
SWIFT AND READY
Special Operations Unit
SWIFT AND READY
Special Operations District members are recruited from within the sworn ranks of the Department and candidates go through a detailed selection and training process prior to joining the unit.
Team members may be trained to perform other specialty assignments within the unit such as SWAT operator, SWAT sniper, explosive breaching, advanced bomb technician certification, drone/robot operator, and specialty vehicle operation.
Special Operations Unit
SWIFT AND READY
Special Operations District members are recruited from within the sworn ranks of the Department and candidates go through a detailed selection and training process prior to joining the unit.
Team members may be trained to perform other specialty assignments within the unit such as SWAT operator, SWAT sniper, explosive breaching, advanced bomb technician certification, drone/robot operator, and specialty vehicle operation.
K-9 Patrol
SKILLED DETECTION
K-9 Patrol
SKILLED DETECTION
The mission of the Canine Unit is to detect and apprehend criminal offenders and drug traffickers on state highways, the Canine District works to secure Arizona’s borders by interdicting and seizing thousands of pounds of illicit and dangerous drugs and arresting numerous dangerous criminals each year.
K-9 Patrol
SKILLED DETECTION
The mission of the Canine Unit is to detect and apprehend criminal offenders and drug traffickers on state highways, the Canine District works to secure Arizona’s borders by interdicting and seizing thousands of pounds of illicit and dangerous drugs and arresting numerous dangerous criminals each year.
State Gang Task Force
COMBATTING CRIMINAL NETWORKS
State Gang Task Force
COMBATTING CRIMINAL NETWORKS
GIITEM is a Statewide Gang Task Force created in the early 90's to combat the gang activity plaguing communities throughout the State of Arizona.
GIITEM's focus is to target the street gang activity through enforcement and conduct gang related criminal investigations for the purpose of disrupting and dismantling gangs.
State Gang Task Force
COMBATTING CRIMINAL NETWORKS
GIITEM is a Statewide Gang Task Force created in the early 90's to combat the gang activity plaguing communities throughout the State of Arizona.
GIITEM's focus is to target the street gang activity through enforcement and conduct gang related criminal investigations for the purpose of disrupting and dismantling gangs.
Motorcycle Patrol
SKILLED ON TWO WHEELS
Motorcycle Patrol
SKILLED ON TWO WHEELS
Motor troopers are primarily assigned for operations within the boundaries of Phoenix and Tucson, while being responsive to requests to assist Highway Patrol Districts and other agencies across the state.
Motor troopers to enhance the Department's public image by participating in various traffic escort events and public relations details throughout the state.
Motorcycle Patrol
SKILLED ON TWO WHEELS
Motor troopers are primarily assigned for operations within the boundaries of Phoenix and Tucson, while being responsive to requests to assist Highway Patrol Districts and other agencies across the state.
Motor troopers to enhance the Department's public image by participating in various traffic escort events and public relations details throughout the state.
READY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
We want individuals who want to be the best. Here is what that means to us: commitment to excellence, trustworthiness, selflessness, service-oriented, honest, self-motivated, courteous, and compassionate.
It will not be easy. You will be challenged in the hiring process. You will be challenged in the State Trooper Academy. You will be challenged in your career. And when you are challenged, you will succeed, no matter what.
This is what it takes to be the best.
This is what it takes to be an Arizona State Trooper.
Cadet State Troopers complete the 30-week State Trooper Academy in Phoenix, Arizona. This consists of 20 weeks of AZPOST Basic Training curriculum, as well as 10 weeks of AZDPS-specific training. The curriculum contains college-level classroom learning, as well as instruction in practical disciplines to include physical fitness, firearms training, defensive tactics, advanced driving, and live scenario-based training. The State Trooper Academy is not a live-in Academy. Cadet State Troopers are paid employees, and housing is available for those attending the State Trooper Academy who reside outside of the Greater Phoenix Area.
WE TAKE CARE OF YOU
WITH BEST OF CLASS BENEFITS
We strive to provide DPS employees and their loved ones with excellent benefits packages, focused on supporting their physical, financial, and emotional wellbeing. With programs such as, ComPsych and the Command Performance Initiative thoughtfully designed to enhance your health and wellbeing.
Benefits
The Arizona Department of Public Safety is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package to all employees in cooperation with the State of Arizona. Benefits are administered by the Arizona.
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- Life Insurance
- Disability Insurance
- Flexible Spending
- Tuition Reimbursement
Retirement
The Arizona Department of Public Safety is proud to offer retirement to all employees in cooperation with the State of Arizona.
- Defined Benefit plan (Pension) or Defined Contribution plan option 401(a)
- Additional Deferred Compensation plans offered. 457 (b)
- Survivor Benefits
- Defined Retirement Plan
- Ability to Buy Back Military Time
- Automatic Cancer Insurance
Time Off
Paid Time Off/Sick Time
There are ten (10) paid holidays that are recognized per year.
Vacation time is accrued based on years of service with the State, as follows:
| YEARS OF SERVICE | HOURS ACCRUED BI-WEEKLY | WORKING DAYS OF LEAVE PER YEAR |
|---|---|---|
| 0-5 | 4.62 | 15+ |
| 6-10 | 5.54 | 18+ |
| 11-20 | 6.47 | 21+ |
| 21+ | 7.39 | 24+ |
Sick Leave is accrued at a flat rate for all employees:
| YEARS OF SERVICE | HOURS ACCRUED BI-WEEKLY | WORKING DAYS OF LEAVE PER YEAR |
|---|---|---|
| FULL-TIME | 4.62 | 15+ |
The State offers 480 hours as the maximum amount of earned sick leave hours an employee may use per calendar year to care for a sick spouse, dependent child or parent. So, employees may now use more of their regularly accrued sick leave to care for their loved ones.
PPL
Pilot Paid Parental Leave Program (PPL)
Up to 12 weeks of paid leave to eligible employees following the birth of a child, new placement of a foster or adoptive child in the home on or after January 1, 2023. Employees no longer need to use their own leave balances or take leave without pay when they add to their families. This PPL may be taken within the 12 months following the birth or placement of the child.
For cases where both spouses are state employees, each spouse may use a maximum of 12 work weeks of Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Leave for the birth and care of a newborn child, placement of a child for adoption or foster care, or to care for a parent who has a serious health condition. And each spouse can use up to 26 work weeks of leave to care for an eligible military service member with a serious injury or illness.
Wellness
Health and Wellbeing
- ComPsych
- Command Performance
- State of the Art Fitness Center
Frequently Asked Questions
Additional information or questions, please contact us by submitting your inquiry below.
Your application will be screened to ensure you meet the minimum standards to test. In the weeks leading up to your test, you will receive an e-mail confirmation for your test date, or an e-mail rejection notifying you that you do not meet the minimum standards to test. Your e-mail will confirm all of the information needed for test day.
On testing day, Cadet State Trooper and Trooper Trainee applicants will complete the Physical Fitness Test, followed by the Written Exam. This testing takes approximately 4-5 hours to complete. In-state Lateral State Trooper applicants will complete a standard AZPOST Firearms Qualification, a physical fitness test (either the POPAT, a timed 5000-meter row, or the Cadet Physical Fitness Test), and an oral board. This testing will vary depending on the number of applicants, but In-state Lateral applicants should be prepared for this to take the majority of the day.
After passing the entrance exams, you will be scheduled to complete a polygraph examination, a medical examination, a psychological examination, and comprehensive background investigation by your assigned Background Investigator.
Our hiring process, on average, is approximately 3 months. This will vary by candidate. Although this may seem long, it is to ensure those we employ are qualified to protect the community and embody the standards set forth by the Department.
This will depend on your level of fitness when you come to your scheduled test. Some applicants find our standards to be challenging, while others who maintain a routine physical fitness program can meet the standards. We strongly recommend that you practice the Physical Fitness Test before coming to test to assess your readiness. Our standards can be found in the next question.
The Physical Fitness Test consists of: maximum sit-up repetitions in 60 seconds, followed by a five-minute rest; a timed 300-meter sprint, followed by a 10-minute rest; maximum untimed push-up repetitions, followed by a five-minute rest; a timed 1.5-mile run. In order to pass the Physical Fitness Test, you must meet or exceed the minimum standards for each event in the same testing process. Failure to meet the minimum standard in one exercise will result in a failure of the test.
There are male and female minimum standards. The passing standards are listed below.
Sit-ups: 35 for males, 32 for females
300-Meter Sprint: 61 seconds for males, 71 seconds for females
Push-ups: 30 for males, 15 for females
1.5-mile Run: 14:54 for males, 15:05 for females
There are three options to select:
1. POPAT with a passing score of 384
2. Cadet PT testing standards as shown above
3. USMC 5,000 Meter Row - Click Here to see what you would need to pass
The Written Exam is a 100-question, general knowledge, multiple choice exam. It is designed to test for core competencies that are critical to be successful in the State Trooper Academy. Since this is a general knowledge exam, there is no study guide.
The following core competencies will be tested: Perceptual Ability (Photos, Situational, Police Reports), Sensitivity, Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, Grammar, Word Choice, Spelling, Reasoning, Numeric Skills, Logic.
The State Trooper Academy is not a "live-in" academy. Our Cadet State Troopers travel to and from work every day like a normal job. The work schedule is typically Monday to Friday during normal business hours, although some training may require irregular hours. After graduation from the State Trooper Academy, your work schedule will be determined by your supervisor. There is no cost to attend the State Trooper Academy, as you will be a full-time employee while you attend. Annual Cadet State Trooper salary is currently $64,118.08. If coming from outside of the Greater Phoenix Area, we do offer housing in the form of shared apartments at no-cost to the candidate while attending the State Trooper Academy.
We believe in training our Cadet State Troopers to be the best law enforcement officers in the state. A career in law enforcement will challenge you in many ways. Accordingly, you will be tested physically, mentally, and academically throughout the State Trooper Academy. You will be held to the very high standards expected of all State Troopers.
We do not have a maximum age limit. You must be at least 21 years of age upon graduation from the State Trooper Academy. If you are between the ages of 18 and 20.5 and have graduated from high school, you may be eligible for the Trooper Trainee position, which is designed to prepare you for the State Trooper Academy.
During the hiring process, we will ask you to provide your top three duty station requests. If and when a job offer is made to you, you will be told what duty station you are being offered upon graduation from the State Trooper Academy.
FUEL YOUR DRIVE WITH US
Our Team
The Recruiting and Sworn Selection Team is comprised of two Sergeants, one Trooper, and a Marketing Specialist. Our Recruiting Team serves as the intermediary between prospective candidates and the Department. The Recruiters answer incoming e-mails and phone calls from prospective candidates, and also attend recruiting events throughout the country to bring the most talented individuals to the Arizona Department of Public Safety. The Marketing Specialist maintains the recruiting social media accounts and keeps prospective candidates informed of upcoming recruiting events. Our Recruiting Team also conducts new-hire testing statewide, with the assistance of Regional Recruiters.
BE THE BEST
BE AN ARIZONA STATE TROOPER
Sergeant Kenneth Norton
RECRUITER
A proud Arizona Native who has dedicated 22 years of his life to serving the community within our Department. Having spent 12 years with District 11, he brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his current role in recruiting. With a decade of service as part of the academy staff, he has actively contributed to shaping the next generation of cadets.
Sergeant Norton's love for the outdoors is evident, as he enjoys hunting, fishing, and hiking. Alongside his adventurous spirit, he cherishes the love and companionship of his beautiful wife making cherished memories together in the heart of the Grand Canyon State.
Sergeant Lucas Adams
RECRUITER
Sergeant Adams is an Arizona native and grew up in a small town outside of the Phoenix valley. A proud alumnus of Arizona State University, Sgt. Adams earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice prior to starting his career with the Department in 2015. During his tenure with DPS, Sergeant Adams worked on the Central Phoenix Nightwatch squad for five years where he received advanced training opportunities to include: General Instructor, Field Training Instructor, and Firearms Instructor. With the help of his squad mates, Sergeant Adams achieved Squad of the Year in 2016. Sergeant Adams went on to work other assignments in highway patrol prior to being promoted in 2022. He is assigned to the Sworn Selection and Recruiting unit. He is excited to help shape the next generation of Troopers and continue the legacy and tradition the Department stands for.
When Sergeant Adams is not at work, he enjoys spending time with his family and loving wife. His hobbies include hunting, working out, watching sports, and traveling.
Trooper Elliott Ness
RECRUITER
Trooper Ness joined the Department in 2014, and has since worked in rural and metropolitan regions of Arizona. He began his career in remote-duty Quartzsite, where he immersed himself in the community and served on the town Parks and Recreation board. In 2018, Trooper Ness transferred to the Metro West District and obtained a variety of specialty training to include: General Instructor, Field Training Instructor, Physical Training Instructor, Forensic Phlebotomist, Regional Advanced Collision Investigation Team, and Leaders in Training. Trooper Ness served as a Recruit Training Trooper under Sergeant Norton for AZDPS Recruit Class 540. Trooper Ness transferred to the Recruiting Unit in January of 2022.
During his off-time, Trooper Ness enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, watching and playing sports, and fishing.
Serena Riddle
Marketing Specialist
With a passion for marketing and a love for social media creation, led her to the Department of Public Safety. She graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelors in Communications and a Masters in Marketing from Texas A&M University. Recruiting has not only fueled her creativity but also honed the skills learned in college.
Alongside the professional pursuits, she is a dedicated mother of two wonderful children and fortunate to share a life with her loving husband who supports and inspires her every day. With both roles, she strives to bring enthusiasm, creativity, and dedication to everything she does.
Do you have a question?
We are committed to providing you with the best service.
Please provide your information and our recruiters will contact you to answer any questions you may have.