The Mississippi Highway Patrol trooper school is set to begin in October. The final phase of qualifying candidates is underway.
“Everyone in the state is well aware of manpower issues within the Mississippi Highway Patrol,” said Captain Johnny Polous. “The legislature did give us funding for a trooper school which will start in October.”
While the trooper school is set to bridge the gap when it comes to the trooper shortage, there’s no guarantee that all candidates will complete the program.
“It’s going to be a Mississippi Highway Patrol trooper school, and I think everyone knows it’s going to be physically and mentally challenging,” said Polous.
While the program is demanding, Polous added that it only prepares the candidates for life on the highway.
“You have to be prepared to deal with what we deal with in today’s society,” said Polous. “That’s why we do a really thorough job of qualifying these candidates to make sure we have the right people in place.”
Polous said the payoff of the hard training is worth it.
“Those who complete the training and actually get the badge pinned on them…they’ll have the training to get out there and do the job and get back to their family safely each night.”
RELATED: Mississippi Highway patrol trooper school to increase enforcement on roadways
