The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is announcing changes to the upcoming 73rd Lateral Academy set to begin September 3. The deadline has been extended for applications. OHP will now accept applications through March 15.
The schedule for the academy has changed. The first five weeks will be a traditional, live-in OHP Academy, getting cadets acclimated to the expectations of the Highway Patrol. The last ten weeks of the fifteen-week academy will transition to an academic school where cadets will attend classes from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and be released in the evenings and on weekends.
The physical fitness test process has changed as well from pass/fail to a competitive ranking system.
The lateral academy is open to current, CLEET-certified law enforcement officers with at least two years of experience, or former law enforcement officers with at least two years of experience and less than a one year break in service. Oklahoma law enforcement officers as well as law enforcement officers in other states are eligible to apply. The new college requirement means a law enforcement officer with at least three years of experience can apply for the lateral academy with zero college credit hours.
"We are excited to announce these changes to the upcoming lateral academy," said DPS Commissioner Tim Tipton. "Applicants to the lateral academy have already begun their law enforcement careers, and switching to an academic-style school allows them more freedom as they transition to becoming a trooper, while still upholding the rigorous standards of the OHP Academy."
"The Governor and legislature gave a 30% pay raise to Oklahoma state troopers last year," said OHP Chief Pat Mays. "Cadets in this lateral academy will start out at Step 2 trooper pay, which is close to $70,000. And within five years of joining the OHP, they will be making approximately $95,000."
Anyone interested in applying can fill out an application and learn more about the requirements at ohp.ok.gov.