Wyoming Police Academy Requirements

Joining a police academy is a milestone on the path to becoming a police officer. Many requirements vary from state to state, however, certain standards, such as being a citizen of the United States, are required across the board. Wyoming police academy requirements consist of, in part, the following:

Academy Training – The Wyoming law enforcement academy lasts for 13 weeks. Individuals looking to become part of the Wyoming Highway Patrol (aka State Trooper) will have to continue for 12 more weeks to complete all training.

Age Requirements –Applicants must be at least 21 years of age on or before the entrance exams. Highway Patrol applicants must be at least 23 years of age on or before the date of the entrance exams for the Highway Patrol Academy

Residency and Citizenship Requirements – Must be a US citizen and possess a valid driver’s license. However, Wyoming State residency is not a requirement to apply for or enter the academy.

Education Requirements – Wyoming police academy requirements state that applicants shall possess a high school diploma or GED. College credits are not required however preference is given to applicants with 60 or more college credits.

Automatic Disqualification Factors – Applicants are advised that the Wyoming State Police will automatically disqualify any applicant who does not meet the general requirements as detailed above.  In addition, the following information is provided regarding our criteria for automatic disqualification:

• Felony Convictions – Applicants shall not have any felony convictions or misdemeanors for domestic violence on their record.
• Drug Usage – Applicants must not have used any illegal substances within the past three years.

**The following only applies to state trooper applicants:**

• Must not have been convicted of nor have a record of:
  • A conviction for any criminal offense, which, in the opinion of the Administrator, would tend to harm the integrity of the Patrol.
  • Any revocation, suspension, denial, or disqualification of their driver’s license or driving privilege within the three year period prior to the date of the qualifying examination. (Applicants cannot participate in the testing process until three (3) years has passed from the ending date of any such revocation, suspension, denial, or disqualification).
  • A record of several preventable motor vehicle collisions or convictions for moving traffic violations, which would indicate the applicant, may be detrimental to highway safety.

Other Qualifications

• Good Character – Applicants must be of good moral character as determined by a thorough background investigation.
• Applicants must be free of any physical, emotional, or mental condition which would adversely affect the performance of the duties of a peace officer, detention officer, or public safety communications officer as determined by a complete medical examination and comprehensive psychological test.
• Vision– Visual acuity must be 20/20 in each eye or correctable to 20/20 or better as indicated below:
  • Contact Lenses / Glasses – Uncorrected visual acuity greater than 20/100 must be corrected to 20/20 or better through the use of soft contact lenses. (No glasses or hardcontact lenses). Uncorrected visual acuity between 20/20 and 20/100 may be corrected to 20/20 or better through the use of hard or soft contact lenses or glasses.A candidate must be a successful contact wearer for at least six months prior to appointment to recruit school.
  • Lasik – Candidates who have undergone surgical procedures to improve visual acuity must do so at least six months prior to appointment to recruit school.

Written Exam

Applicants must pass a written exam after completing and passing the physical ability test. A 75% is required to pass the written exam.

Oral Exam

Upon completion of the written exam applicants must pass will be given an oral exam.

Physical Ability Test

The Physical Fitness Assessment consists of three basic tests. Each test has been proven to have scientific validity. The entry assessment will be conducted in a two hour session at a designated time prior to the start of the Basic Police Academy Course Course. A final assessment will be administered over a two day period near the conclusion of the Police Academy.

PUSH-UPS – This test requires the person to push their own weight off the floor and is used to evaluate upper body endurance strength relative to their body weight. Low levels of muscular endurance indicates inefficiency in movement and a low capacity to perform work. The score is calculated by the number of push-ups performed in 1 minute.

SIT-UPS – This is a measure of the muscular endurance of the abdominal muscles. Its an important area for performing police tasks that may involve the use of force and is an important area for maintaining good posture and minimizing lower back problems. The score is calculated by the number of bent leg sit-ups performed in 1 minute.

12 MINUTE WALK / RUN – This is a timed run designed to measure the heart and vascular system’s capability to transport oxygen. It is an important area for performing police tasks involving stamina and endurance and to minimize the risk of cardiovascular problems. The score is calculated by the amount of ground covered within the allotted 12 minutes and 15 seconds (An extra 15 seconds is added to the allotted time for high altitude consideration)