Go to Page Section:
State troopers patrol the highways of the country, but they may also patrol the back roads.
Some state parks also employ the help of state troopers rather than only park rangers.
State troopers don’t see the daily action of city police, but they are by no means unchallenged.
Let’s explore the pros and cons of being a state trooper.
Pros of Being a State Trooper
1. Mostly Do Traffic Stops and Accidents
State troopers don’t have the constant barrage of calls that city police have.
They aren’t facing domestic abuse calls, bar fights, or burglaries and vandalism daily.
This means their days are often less stressful overall.
These kinds of calls do come in, but they are few and far between.
This makes the call more of a welcome break in routine than just one more stressful situation that needs to be dealt with.
Accidents are often stressful, but they are not a daily occurrence either.
2. Great Pay
State troopers are well-paid.
The pay varies from one state to the next and between large and small geographical areas, but the average starting salary for state troopers in this country is $77,000 annually.
With raises being made over time, a seasoned state trooper can see an annual salary of greater than $118,000.
These salaries are often greater than those of city police officers and enable state troopers to realize a decent standard of living.
This is a plus since the position has stability and growth.
3. Great Benefits
State troopers receive excellent benefits in addition to high pay.
They receive life insurance, health insurance, and retirement benefits.
If a state trooper wants to further their education, there is a program in place to help pay for it.
They receive regular paid sick days, paid personal days, and at least a two-week paid vacation yearly.
Over time, the amount of vacation has increased.
There are also eleven paid vacations a year, which is higher than many jobs that only have eight.
4. Not Bound to a Desk Every Day
State troopers spend their days traveling the highways in their cars.
They do have a certain amount of paperwork, which increases if they have a special case that they need to write reports for.
Some people are not cut out for sitting behind a desk every day.
Even on quiet days, with no traffic stops or any calls, the state trooper can be outdoors.
They can enjoy the warm sunny days, and even experience the soothing sound of rain on the car roof.
They also have a chance to see glimpses of wild animals going about their day.
5. Chance to Help People
One of the best parts of being a state trooper is the ability to help people daily.
You can know that your job is an important one.
From making sure the speeding teenager gets a lesson in slowing down to arresting a drunk driver to helping a stranded mother get off the highway and back home, the state trooper does acts every day that make a big difference.
In addition to the seemingly smaller acts, the state trooper is often called on to exist in natural disasters and to help during vehicle accidents.
6. Can Relocate Anywhere in the State Without Loss of Seniority
If the spouse of a state trooper happens to get relocated, the state trooper can move anywhere within the state and not lose their seniority.
This allows them to continue as is, only having to worry about learning a new area and not about finances and such.
Relocating can be difficult, both physically and emotionally, and knowing you have a steady income that is the same one you have been counting on helps a great deal.
7. Special Assignments
When things like the Olympic torch come across the country, it is the state trooper who leads the way.
The state trooper is called on to lead special delegations, help dignitaries get to places, and clear the way for special equipment deliveries.
They may be called in to help during a natural disaster or aid the FBI in a task.
Special assignments help break up the days of little or no activity.
State troopers may also be selected to lead envoys transporting special prisoners from one state to the next.
Cons of Being a State Trooper
1. Face Dangerous Situations
It may seem that since the state troopers’ day is mostly traffic stops, they have little or no danger.
Unfortunately, that isn’t the case.
Any traffic stop can turn dangerous if the person driving is a criminal and not simply some sweet little grandmother who didn’t realize she was going too slow.
Very often, the state trooper will be working alone.
There is also the danger of cars not seeing the officer when they get out of their vehicle, and they could get hit.
Chasing armed criminals is something that is sometimes part of the job, as are high-speed chases that can result in accidents.
2. The Main Activity Is Traffic Stops and Accidents
This can be a good or bad thing.
While it makes for quieter days, if a person goes into law enforcement for adventure, the position of a state trooper is going to seem tame and boring.
There is no way to make a day full of traffic stops less boring.
In addition, there will be many days when there are no violations that need to be addressed.
If you are looking for a job that has you consistently on edge and facing adventure, that of a state trooper isn’t for you.
3. Emotional Toll Can Be Great
Dealing with accidents can take a toll emotionally on anyone.
The state trooper must learn to deal with mangled bodies, often children.
This is something even the hardest exterior can’t handle often without it taking an emotional toll.
Many state troopers end up with PTSD before they retire.
4. Difficult Relationships
Anybody in law enforcement, including the state trooper, has the unfortunate knowledge that when they put that uniform on each day, they may not make it home alive.
This can be difficult for those who love the state trooper.
Only the spouse of an active-duty military member has more uncertainty about the safety of their loved one than the spouse or other family member of a law enforcement officer or firefighter.
Many individuals can’t handle this uncertainty, and divorce is often seen in state trooper relationships.
5. Work Holidays and Weekends
While the state trooper gets eleven paid holidays each year, that does not mean they don’t have to work on the holidays.
This is an occupation that requires someone to be on duty 24/7, and that includes weekends and holidays.
A state trooper may be called in to cover other shifts if another officer is ill.
This could see the state trooper facing 16-hour shifts.
This can make them stressed as they get little sleep and can’t eat a healthy meal.
6. May Be Relocated As Needed
It is sometimes necessary for the state to redistribute the troopers working in them.
Those troopers who are on the lower end of the seniority spectrum may find themselves having to move to new locations with little or no notice.
This can be especially difficult if the state trooper has a family that also needs to be moved.
Relocating is a reality that has to be acknowledged and prepared for.
Having a plan in advance that takes this possibility into account will help.
7. Often Alone Without Close Backup
The state trooper often works alone.
Unless they are training, that is normally the case.
This is fine most of the time, although it can feel isolating at times.
When it is worst is when the officer needs backup.
State troopers must often have to wait for help to arrive, and this means having to deal with situations alone.
This can increase the danger the trooper finds himself in.
Pros and Cons of Being a State Trooper – Summary Table
| Pros of Being a State Trooper | Cons of Being a State Trooper |
|---|---|
| 1. Mostly Do Traffic Stops and Accidents | 1. Face Dangerous Situations |
| 2. Great Pay | 2.The Main Activity Is Traffic Stops and Accidents |
| 3. Great Benefits | 3. Emotional Toll Can Be Great |
| 4. Not Bound to a Desk Every Day | 4. Difficult Relationships |
| 5. Chance to Help People | 5. Work Holidays and Weekends |
| 6. Can Relocate Anywhere the in State Without Loss of Seniority | 6. May Be Relocated As Needed |
| 7. Special Assignments | 7. Often Alone Without Close Backup |
Should I Become a State Trooper?
If you are looking to experience the benefits of being a police officer, without the constant upheaval big city police face, you might enjoy being a state trooper.
You have a wider area to patrol, making the day less boring.
You also have the advantage of being able to move anywhere in the state and still maintain your seniority.
The pay and benefits are both very good.
You do have to deal with accidents, however, and that can take its toll on you emotionally.
If you believe you can handle that, becoming a state trooper has greater benefits than pitfalls.
Leave a Reply