Minimum Qualifications

Age

An applicant must have reached the age of eighteen (18) years in order to be admitted as a candidate to the Rhode Island State Police Training Academy. The maximum age of admission to the Training Academy is age thirty-five (35).

Education

An applicant must be a high school graduate or have obtained a General Equivalency Diploma (GED) issued by a state department of education.

Criminal History

An applicant must not possess a criminal conviction(s) for a felony offense(s). During the background investigation, a candidate is evaluated relative to an established set of criteria. Candidates are asked many personal questions, including but not limited to the recency and frequency of traffic citations, at-fault automobile collisions, illegal drug usage, arrests and convictions.

Conduct

An applicant must display good personal conduct. The Rhode Island State Police has strict guidelines relating to the personal characteristics required for employment as a trooper.

Citizenship

An applicant must be a citizen of the United States.

Vision

An applicant must possess visual acuity of 20/40 (binocular vision) or better without correction, and visual acuity of 20/20 or better with corrective lenses (glasses or contact lenses). Any candidate who undergoes any corrective eye surgery must have the procedure completed 6 months prior to the Academy start date.

An applicant must possess normal color and depth perception as determined by a Division physician. The Farnsworth D-15 color arrangement test will be offered to candidates who fail the Ishihara Color Perception Test. The passing of either the Ishihara or Farnsworth color test will be accepted.

Hearing

An applicant must possess normal hearing ability as determined by a Division physician.

Driver's License

Must possess a valid operator's license prior to starting the Academy, or be willing and eligible to obtain one.

Tattoos and/or Body Markings

An applicant must not have any tattoos or other body art which is visible while in Division uniform. The use of a flesh colored sleeve will be acceptable to conceal any tattoos that are visible from the upper arm to the wrist bone.

Tattoos cannot be located on the head; face; neck above the v-neck t-shirt line; inside the eyelid, mouth or ears; wrists; hands; or fingers.

Under no circumstances will tattoos that are considered offensive be permissible. These include but are not limited to extremist tattoos; indecent tattoos; sexist tattoos; or racist tattoos.