Recruitment FAQ

The first step in the application process is to visit the Louisiana State Police Commission and complete the initial application. Their web page is: http://laspc.dps.louisiana.gov/. The Louisiana State Police Commission is currently accepting applications.

For more information on the qualifications, benefits, and hiring process, please visit our LSP recruiting page at https://lsp.org/recruitment/

To reach a LSP Recruiter, please email [email protected]

LSP Training Academy classes are approximately 24 weeks long. The LSP Training Academy is a residential academy with cadets required to stay at the academy Sunday-Friday of each week. Depending on the start date, academy length may vary to compensate for holidays.

• Beginning salary of $4,666.00 per month while attending the Academy.
• After completion of the FTO Program, a salary of $4,950.00 per month.
• After one year, a salary of at least $5,099.39* per month.
• Monthly expense account for uniform maintenance and footwear purchases.
• Uniforms, weapons, and equipment are provided by the Department.
• Individually assigned patrol cars, including off-duty use.
• Excellent medical and retirement benefits.
• Vacation and sick leave accrued at an hourly rate
• A portion of the total cost of group life and health insurance is paid by the state.
• Troopers belonging to a reserve component of the armed forces and placed on active military duty are granted up to 15 days leave with pay per year and are entitled to leave without pay should longer periods of active duty be necessary.
• GI Bill for Active Duty Service members while in training receive an additional $1,000/month.
• GI Bill for National Guard/Reservists while in training receive an additional $400/month.
• Meals and lodging are included for cadets in training.
• All hours worked over regular working hours are compensated at the rate of time and one-half.
• Troopers have the opportunity to supplement their income by working off-duty details.

*Extra duty and overtime opportunities available. 

LSP accepts applications from current law enforcement officers who hold a Louisiana Level 1 POST certification. However, LSP does not have a traditional lateral-transfer process. All qualified applicants, regardless of prior law enforcement experience, are required to complete an LSP Cadet Class at the Training Academy before becoming a Trooper. LSP periodically offers an accelerated Cadet Class for applicants who already hold a Louisiana Level 1 POST certification. 

The accelerated class is shorter than the regular Cadet Class and is designed to account for the training and experience applicants have already received. When an accelerated class is not being offered, POST-certified applicants must attend the regular Cadet Class.

For information and announcements about upcoming Cadet Classes, visit the Louisiana State Police Recruiting Facebook page.

The time an applicant spends in the hiring process is entirely dependent on when an upcoming academy is scheduled. We recommend checking with a recruiter or the recruiting website for upcoming academy information approximately 3-4 months before your availability date. You can then begin the hiring process in anticipation for upcoming academy classes. You can apply now if you have at least 60 semester hours from an accredited college or university. If you get accepted into the next academy class and are still enrolled in school, you will have to resign from school for that semester. After you graduate from the academy and become a permanent employee with at least two years of service, you can take advantage of the Educational Leave Policy.

Educational Leave is leave with pay granted to an employee to attend classes as an enrolled student at an educational institution or facility, and subject to the provisions of State Police Commission Rule 11.24.

State Police Commission Rule 11.24: Educational Leave

1. Leave without pay for educational purposes may be granted an employee for a period equivalent to the period of attendance at the educational institution.
2. Educational leave with pay may be granted an employee for a maximum of thirty calendar days in one calendar year if the course of instruction to be taken is pertinent to the work of the employee in his department, provided that a permanent employee may be granted such leave for a maximum of ninety calendar days in one calendar year if the Department requires him to take special training.
3. Employees granted educational leave without pay may be granted a stipend if there are funds available for that purpose.

The time an applicant spends in the hiring process is entirely dependent on when an upcoming academy is scheduled. We recommend those service members with pending separation dates check back with us or check the recruiting website for upcoming academy information approximately 3-4 months before your termination of service. You can then begin the hiring process in anticipation for upcoming academy classes. Be mindful that if you are serving a three-year commitment and your separation date does not reflect three years of Active-Duty Service, then you do not meet the minimum requirements for employment based upon a minimum of three years Active-Duty Service. You may be required to travel to Baton Rouge several times during the application process (written exam, physical assessment, polygraph, oral board, and drug screen/medical/risk assessment.

The time an applicant spends in the hiring process is entirely dependent on when an upcoming academy is scheduled. We recommend checking with a recruiter or the recruiting website for upcoming academy information approximately 4-6 months before your availability date. However, that time can be reduced or increased based on:

1. When you enter the application process,
2. The start date of the next Academy Class.

All of our Cadet Classes are conducted at our Training Academy in Baton Rouge, LA. The LSP Training Academy is a residential academy with cadets required to stay at the academy Sunday-Friday of each week. Visit our LSP Training Academy website for more information and a glimpse into Cadet Training. https://lsp.org/recruitment/academy/

The Department offers an excellent retirement package for its employees based on maximum salary, age of employee, and years of service.
Retirement credit is earned at 3 1/3% per year of service:
* 66.6% of regular salary with 20 years of service after age 50
* 99.9% of regular salary with 30 years of service after age 50

You can find out more information at https://lsprs.org/.

Yes. Every Trooper has a personally assigned take home vehicle issued to them after completion of training. Learn more about our benefits: https://lsp.org/recruitment/

Yes, the academy is a paramilitary residential academy located at Louisiana State Police Headquarters in Baton Rouge, LA. Cadets are given a weekend pass at the conclusion of class on Friday and report back to duty on Sunday.

As you complete each step of the hiring process, you will be notified as to what to do next. Depending on a variety of factors, there may be a delay of several weeks or months in between each step. The next step might also come very quickly. If you have questions during the hiring process, you can contact a State Police Recruiter through our text system (225)777-8162, or by email at [email protected]. 

If your contact information has changed, please contact the State Police Commission at 225-925-7057.

Your primary contact will be the Louisiana State Police Commission. You can call them at 225.925.7057 or email Debbie Givens at: [email protected]. You should also notify the following divisions: Internal Affairs ([email protected]) and LSP Recruiting ([email protected]). You can send one email to the Commission and "cc" Internal Affairs and Recruiting.

Every applicant is individually screened by our Medical Doctor. He will determine if you are medically fit to perform the duties of a State Trooper.

The Training Academy is registered with Veteran's Affairs, and (if you are eligible), you can receive Veteran's Benefits for the time that you are enrolled in the class, as well as the first 10 weeks of the FTO Program. New cadets who are veterans are required to bring a DD-214 when they report in. Training Academy Staff will handle registering cadets for veteran's benefits during the first week of training. Cadets who are veterans do not need to contact Veterans Affairs or register for benefits anywhere else.

Yes. We have implemented an accelerated cadet class for LEOs who are POST-certified. For more information and announcements on class formations, follow our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/LouisianaStatePoliceRecruiting/ . LSP prides itself on having the best-trained law enforcement professionals in the state. 

During the application process, applicants are asked to list their first and second choice for Troop assignments. Candidates can also select statewide availability. Upon reaching the end of hiring process, selected applicants are extended a conditional offer of employment for a specific Troop location. Candidates are often offered their first or second choice preference; however, available positions are limited by manpower and regional needs. A candidate that selects statewide availability has a greater chance of being offered available positions.

Click here for LSPC Cadet Employee Information & FAQS

New Troopers must successfully complete the 16-week Field Training Program following graduation from the LSP Training Academy. During the program, new Troopers work alongside experienced LSP Troopers as they develop and demonstrate the skills necessary to perform their duties independently. A new Trooper may be released from the Field Training Program before completing 16 weeks if they demonstrate the ability to successfully operate at solo Trooper status.

Applicants must possess a LA driver's license upon the start of the LSP Training Academy or your “appointment” as a cadet.

Physical Assessments are offered on specific dates to ensure all eligible applicants have a chance to compete for a cadet position. There is no guarantee that additional physical assessments will be offered, so please come to your assessment prepared. The LSP Training Academy has prepared a comprehensive 12-week training program and suggested tips to help physically prepare yourself for success when taking your physical assessment and for the academy.

Please review the Pre-Hire Physical Training Recommendations listed at Cadet_Applicant_PT.pdf.

You can reschedule a physical assessment at any time a PT test is offered. It is highly recommended that you prepare yourself physically before taking the PT assessment.

No. A passing score remains valid until the Louisiana State Police Commission (LSPC) implements a new test. If this happens, you will be notified accordingly by the LSPC and given the new exam date(s) to retake the exam.

Please email the Louisiana State Police Commission. Be sure to include your request to reinstate your grade, your current address, current phone number and email address. The LSPC will then forward your name to the LSP Internal Affairs Background Unit as an eligible candidate.
LSPC email address:
[email protected] OR
[email protected]