North Carolina State Highway Patrol APPLICATION ORIENTATION PACKAGE

STATE TROOPER APPLICATION ORIENTATION Minimum Requirements You must be between 21 39 years of age. You must be a U.S. citizen. You must be a High School graduate or hold a G.E.D. You must score at or above the tenth (10 th ) grade level on a reading comprehension test within twelve (12) months of the Basic School start date. You cannot have committed or been convicted of a felony. You cannot have committed or been convicted of a Class B misdemeanor within the five (5) years preceding your application. Your driving privileges cannot have been suspended or revoked during the three (3) years preceding your application. You must be a North Carolina resident and possess a valid North Carolina driver license as of the first day of Basic School. Your uncorrected vision cannot be worse than 20/100 and must be corrected to 20/20 in each eye. You must not have any pending criminal charges, investigations, or traffic offenses at any time during the application process and on the first day of Patrol School. Applicants with prior military experience must have received an honorable discharge for all periods of military service and provide a copy of their DD-214 including character of service (Block 24) for each period of service. For the purposes of this policy, a General Discharge Under Honorable Conditions shall not be considered an Honorable Discharge. No applicant will be accepted who, during the five (5) years preceding the date of application for employment, pled guilty to, entered a plea of no contest, or has been convicted of the traffic offense of Driving While Impaired (DWI), or an equivalent offense from another state, (i.e. DUI, Driving Under the Influence) ) or speeding to elude arrest. No applicant will be accepted who has been arrested for the offense of Driving While Impaired (DWI) or an equivalent offense from another state on more than one (1) occasion. No applicant will be accepted who, at any time during the applicant process has any criminal or traffic charge(s) or investigation(s) pending. No applicant will be accepted if he/she has been previously rejected or withdraws from the application process to avoid being rejected for employment as a Trooper Cadet on three (3) or more occasions. Applicants for the Sworn Basic School must have satisfactorily completed the Basic Law Enforcement Training program as prescribed by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission, including the successful completion of the State Comprehensive Examination. (Note: Must be sworn in as a Trooper within one (1) year of the successful completion of the State Comprehensive Examination.)

Highway Patrol Policy Directive E.9 states, Patrol members or civilian employees who are immediate family members shall not be stationed within the same troop or other unit which one may have direct supervision over the other. Members must be willing to live and work in any section of the state and may be reassigned / transferred at the discretion of the Commander s Office. If you do not meet any of the above requirements, you are ineligible for the position of State Trooper. These items will be verified when you submit your application. If you have any questions about these requirements, please contact a Troop Recruiter. This application packet contains several forms to be completed by you and a list of supporting documents you will need to gather for submission to the Director of Administrative Services. All forms must be filled out in black ink or typed. Also included herein is a description of some of the benefits offered by the Highway Patrol and some of the conditions you must be willing to work under. You may call a Troop Recruiter for clarification of the benefits and conditions if needed. Individual instruction sheets are included for each form you need to complete. If you are missing any of the instruction sheets, please contact the Troop Recruiter who will provide you with the missing instruction sheets. There is also a supplemental instruction sheet giving you detailed information about what supporting documents you will need to submit. If you are in doubt about what is required, contact a Troop Recruiter.

STEPS IN THE APPLICATION PROCESS Each applicant should ensure that the HP-720 Application Orientation Package, including required supporting documents are accurate and complete before submitting the package to the Director of Administrative Services. Initial Screening - Reading Comprehension Test. You will be given a test to determine your reading comprehension grade level. Applicants must possess a minimum of a tenth (10 th ) grade reading comprehension level in order to proceed further in the application process. Initial Screening Physical Fitness and Written Test. You will be given a Physical Fitness Test where you will be required to score in at least the 50 th percentile for your age and gender. Applicants that score at or above the 50 th percentile will be allowed to take the written test. Polygraph Examination. Will be conducted after successful completion of the initial screening (Must pass to move forward in the process). Background Check. A thorough Background Investigation will be conducted. Applicant Review Process. An Applicant Review Process shall be conducted in accordance with the procedures established by the Director of Administrative Services. Physical Exam. A physical examination is conducted by the Highway Patrol Medical Director to include a drug screen. Psychological Exam. Will be conducted at the direction of the Director of Administrative Services. Offer of Employment. Will be given approximately a two (2) week notice before the start of school. Basic School (Regular). Must meet the minimum requirements set forth in this package. Basic School (Sworn). In addition to the minimum requirements, applicants for the Sworn School must have a current Basic Law Enforcement Certification awarded by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission or shall have satisfactorily completed in its entirety an accredited BLET basic training course with the successful completion of the State Comprehensive Examination. [Note: Applicants included in this second option must be sworn in as a Trooper within one (1) year of the successful completion of the State Comprehensive Examination.]

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR SWORN POSITIONS Please read the following instructions before you begin to work on the application package. All forms contained in the application package along with all required supporting documents must be completed and submitted to the Director of Administrative Services before you will be considered an applicant and put on the list for initial screening. You should make a copy of any unsealed documents for your records. Once the application packet has been completed, mail the entire completed Package and Supporting Documents to: NC State Highway Patrol Director of Administrative Services / Trooper Applicant 4702 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 27699-4702. Required Forms in the Application Package 1. North Carolina State Application (Form PD-107) Two (2) original PD-107 forms with original signatures are required. Photocopies are not acceptable. This is the standard state application form. Both copies of the PD-107 must be submitted with the Application Package. You must use black ink or type these applications. You must list every job you have ever held on this form. If you have had more jobs than there is space on this form, you may use a continuation page (Form PD-107A). Pay careful attention to answer each question and check each box that applies to you. If you need extra copies, you may contact a Troop Recruiter or visit our web site at http://www.nccrimecontrol.org. Once on our site, click on Divisions / State Highway Patrol / Apply Now for Highway Patrol Positions and follow the links to complete the Applicant Interest Card and access the application forms section. 2. Personal History Statement (Form F-3) Answer all questions in this form. If an item does not apply, enter N/A in the space provided. The information you supply on this form must be complete and accurate. Failure to provide complete and accurate information on this form will result in rejection of your application. Read and comply with all detailed instructions inside the front cover of the F-3 booklet. Information listed on this form will be referenced on the polygraph examination. In the Residences Section (#17), physical addresses for the last ten (10) years are required. Post Office Boxes are not acceptable and there should not be any time unaccounted for.

In the Work History Section (#31), comply with the instructions provided and list every job you have ever held. There should not be any jobs omitted. You may attach additional sheets as necessary. Do not sign or notarize the Form F-3 until it is reviewed during the pre-polygraph interview. Changes can be made on this form prior to it being notarized. 3. Highway Patrol Applicant Vision Test (Form HP-720A) This form can be given to a North Carolina Driver s License Examiner for the purpose of recording your uncorrected and corrected vision in each eye. The vision requirement is a minimum 20/100 corrected to 20/20 in each eye with corrective lenses. In the event your vision cannot be tested to 20/20 by a driver s license examiner, you must, at your expense, have your vision tested in the same manner requested on the form by a licensed medical professional certified to conduct vision tests. In this case the results of the vision test shall be listed on the form or on a statement on the letterhead of the licensed medical professional conducting the test. PRIOR TO HAVING YOUR VISION CHECKED AT A DMV OFFICE, ASK IF THEY CAN CHECK FOR 20/20 VISION. Some of their offices can only check as low as 20/30. You may have a doctor check your vision if you wish. The doctor must fill out the form legibly and you must attach a business card from that doctor so we can check the validity of the test. This test cannot have been done more than ninety (90) days before the date you submit your application. 4. Military Criminal History Verification Form (HP-720B) This form must be completed for active duty military personnel only at the time of application. This is a notarized form that must be signed by the administrative services, personnel officer, or unit commander disclosing what, if any, prior or pending Article 15 or courts martial you have/had while in military service.

Required Supporting Documents to be turned in with the Application Package 1. Birth Certificate A certified copy of your birth certificate is required. If you do not have a copy, one may be obtained by contacting the Register of Deeds Office in the county in which you were born. A photocopy will not be accepted without prior approval from Administrative Services. If you were not born a U.S. citizen, you must submit your naturalization papers. Questions pertaining to naturalization should be referred to Administrative Services. 2. 3 x 5 Head and Shoulder Photograph A 3 x 5 head and shoulder photograph taken within the last six (6) months must be included. This photograph will become part of the prospective applicant / personnel file and the quality, background, and dress should be appropriate for that purpose. 3. High School Diploma or General Education Development Certificate (G.E.D.) If you graduated from an accredited high school, you must submit an official copy of your high school transcripts and a copy of your diploma. There is no exception to the transcripts, but the diploma requirement may be waived on a case by case basis with approval by Administrative Services. If you hold a G.E.D. certificate, you must submit an official copy of your G.E.D. grades with a copy of your G.E.D. certificate from an institution accredited to award them. If you are a G.E.D. holder, you must have the score sheet (grades) no exceptions. If you were home schooled, attach a list of each course taken and respective grades. 4. Criminal History Record Check / Certified Copy of Driving History You must submit a criminal history records check from the Clerk of Superior Court in each county inside North Carolina you have resided, maintained a dwelling, or were stationed while on active duty since the age of seventeen and each county or jurisdiction where you have been charged with an offense. You must submit a criminal history records check from the proper public official in each county outside North Carolina you have resided, maintained a dwelling, or were stationed on active duty since the age of seventeen and each county or jurisdiction where you have been charged with an offense. If records exist, a certified copy is needed; if no records exist, a statement to that effect on the letterhead of the appropriate agency will suffice. The form provided (HP-720C) is for obtaining out-of-state records only. (For the purposes of this section, if you stayed, lived or spent the night in any location for more than thirty (30) days, you need to get a criminal history from there and list that location as a previous address). The thirty (30) days need not be consecutive.

Exception to the Criminal History Record Check: Any place while on active duty where you spent time but were not allowed to leave the base is exempt from a required criminal history record check. Military duty stations outside of the United States do not require a criminal history record check. Certified Copy of Your Driving History: You must submit a certified copy of your driving history from each state you have ever held a driver s. This must come from a state agency. A non-certified copy purchased online will not suffice. 5. Military Separation Documents DD-214 If you have prior military service, a complete copy of your DD-214 is required for each period of active duty and/or service in the Reserves or National Guard. This includes the portion indicating character of service (Block 24). If you do not have a copy of your DD-214, you should request one immediately as it may take several weeks to receive. All required forms and supporting documents listed above must be included in your application package. It is recommended that you survey the necessary supporting documents and request them immediately. Some may take several weeks to obtain. It is also recommended that you keep a photocopy of all requested documents because they will not be returned to you. BENEFITS AND CONDITIONS You must be willing to live and work in any section of the state and be transferred at the discretion of the Commander s Office. Every effort will be made to station you where you request to be stationed, but departmental needs will take priority over the applicant s wishes. The following is a list of Highway Patrol employee benefits and job related working conditions. The starting salary is approximately $34,000 per year. You begin earning this on the first day of the Patrol school. Top pay for Troopers of approximately $52,000 per year is generally reached at the completion of your seventh year as a Trooper. Sick leave accrues at a rate of eight (8) hours per month and vacation time accrues at different rates depending on your length of service. Compensatory time off will be given instead of overtime pay whenever possible when you work more than your assigned shift. Work schedules vary from county to county. The shifts are typically in increments of eight (8) hours.

After eight (8) years you are eligible to enter the promotional process to increase your rank and pay. Members must be willing to live and work in any section of the State and to be transferred at the discretion of the Patrol Commander. The North Carolina Highway Patrol is not a state police and deals primarily with traffic safety. G.I. Bill can be utilized while attending Patrol School. You can continue to receive your G.I. Bill benefits until you reach the rank of Senior Trooper which occurs three (3) years after completion of Patrol School. Trooper Cadet Applicant shall, as a condition of employment, agree to serve in a probationary status while attending the Basic School and at all times prior to successful completion of the Eleven (11) Month Review Board. Prospective applicants and members may be required to provide a breath, blood, or urine sample under direct observation during the application process, training process, and after becoming a sworn law enforcement officer. Refusal to submit to and cooperate in required drug testing will disqualify an applicant for further employment consideration and subject those already employed to dismissal. Applicants must be willing to submit to random, reasonable suspicion and occurrence drug testing which may be required by the Patrol or the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission. In the event that a Sworn Basic School is not feasible, applicants actively under consideration will continue to be processed for the next Basic School (Regular). RE-APPLICATION POLICY Applicants for sworn positions are required to meet Certification Eligibility Guidelines for law enforcement officers as mandated by the Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission and State Highway Patrol Policy. If an applicant fails to meet any of these guidelines or comply with applicable policy or state law, his application is subject to become inactive and be removed from further employment consideration. If an applicant becomes ineligible to be considered for sworn employment, he must reapply to be considered for future employment. Should a former applicant decide to reapply, he will be subject to the Certification Eligibility Guidelines and State Highway Patrol Policy at that time. To reapply, an applicant must submit a new application package.

Applications under consideration may become inactive for a number of reasons and the length of ineligibility depends on the circumstances. In other cases, including but not limited to the following, ineligibility may occur for the reasons and length of time listed. Withdrawal of application: one (1) year from the date of withdrawal, unless waived by the Director of Administrative Services. Failure to meet the minimum reading comprehension level requirement: applicant is ineligible for this Basic School. Applicant may, on their own initiative and at their own expense, take a reading comprehension test meeting the requirements as set forth in 12 NCAC 09B.0203 and submit the results within the initial screening processing schedule to Administrative Services for review to determine if the applicant meets this eligibility standard. Administrative Services will establish a deadline for submission of retest results and will make arrangements to allow applicants under this policy to participate in the initial screening phase of the application process. Failure to meet the Cooper Physical Fitness requirements for the test: one (1) year denial from the date of the failed test. Applicant may request one retest within the initial screening processing schedule for the Basic School applied to. Failure to appear for screening or retest or failure to meet minimum standards will result in one (1) year denial from date of the failed test or retest. Failure to properly submit complete and accurate information on required documents prior to the Polygraph interview not amounting to untruthfulness may be deemed an omission: one (1) year from the date of application. Falsification of any record, giving false information during the application process or willfully withholding any pertinent information amounting to untruthfulness: five (5) years from date of application or from the untruthful act, whichever occurs last. Refusal to participate in and successfully complete required testing will be considered a withdrawal of application. Use of marijuana at anytime within the two (2) years preceding the date of application. Applicants who use marijuana subsequent to the date of submission of application shall be rejected for employment for a period of two (2) years from the date of rejection. Failure to comply with any condition(s) set out in the Conditional/Final offer of employment will be considered a withdrawal of application. Any Cadet who is dismissed or resigns from employment during Basic School or the Field Training and Evaluation Program will be ineligible to reapply for a Trooper position for 12 months from the date of dismissal or resignation. The Commander s Office may waive the provisions of this directive if there are extenuating circumstances.

To reapply, former applicants will be required to complete all steps of the application process and meet all applicable guidelines and policies. When applicants fail to meet Certification Eligibility Guidelines, the Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission dictates the length of ineligibility. Two such guidelines are: Any applicant that has committed or been convicted of a single crime or unlawful act defined as a Class B Misdemeanor within the five (5) year period prior to the date of application for employment is ineligible under these guidelines. Any applicant that has committed or been convicted of a felony is ineligible.

WHEN THE PACKET IS COMPLETE Make sure you have completed and enclosed the following: Two (2) form PD-107 s in black ink or typed with complete work history. F-3 booklet in black ink or typed. Do not sign or have notarized. Certified copy of your birth certificate. Copy of High School Diploma and certified High School transcripts, G.E.D. Certificate (with score sheet), or Home Schooled transcripts, (include list of each course taken and respective grades). Applicants who attended or graduated from a college, university, or community college must also submit a copy of the diploma and official transcripts from the institution they attended. HP-720A (Highway Patrol Applicant Vision Test). 3 x 5 head and shoulders photograph not more than six (6) months old. Certified copy of your driving history/histories. Not more than ninety (90) days old. Certified copies of your criminal history checks. Not more than ninety (90) days old. DD-214 from every period of service if you were ever in the military. HP-720B (Military Records Request) to be completed if you are currently on active duty in the military. Naturalization papers if you were not born a U.S. citizen. Court dispositions of any misdemeanors not covered by your criminal histories. HP-720C (Criminal History Record Request) Once the application packet has been completed, mail the entire completed Package and Supporting Documents (including this form) to: NC State Highway Patrol Director of Administrative Services / Trooper Applicant, 4702 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-4702. I,, have read and fully understand the above and agree to all conditions. I further agree to work anywhere in the State of North Carolina. Signature of Prospective Applicant) (Date)