Highway Patrol Trooper - 171st Western Short School

NC State Highway Patrol

NC State Highway Patrol

Highway Patrol Trooper (S)

Grade

HP01

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol's primary mission is to reduce collisions and make the highways of North Carolina as safe as possible. The NCSHP has more than 1,600 troopers who cover nearly 80,000 miles of North Carolina roadways, more than any other state except Texas. In addition to enforcing the state's traffic laws, state troopers also guide traffic during hurricane evacuations, re-route traffic around hazardous chemical spills, and they stand ready should any act of terrorism occur.

State Troopers are committed to protecting North Carolina's motoring public.

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is accepting applications from currently certified North Carolina Basic Law Enforcement Training officers for the 171st Western Basic Short School. Selected applicants will attend classes on the campus of Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, North Carolina, beginning May 17, 2027. This continuous recruitment supports current and anticipated Highway Patrol Trooper vacancies statewide.

This is a continuous (evergreen) posting used to recruit for current and anticipated Highway Patrol Trooper vacancies statewide. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Because this is an ongoing recruitment effort, not all applicants will be contacted immediately. Qualified applicants selected for further consideration will be contacted as processing opportunities become available.

Certified applicants only. The 171st Western Basic is a Short School for applicants who currently hold North Carolina Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) certification or are enrolled in a BLET course scheduled to graduate by May 17, 2027. Applicants who do not meet either of these requirements are not eligible for this Short School.

Application period:
September 14, 2026, through January 18, 2027

First day of school and anticipated hire date:
May 17, 2027

Anticipated graduation date:
August 20, 2027

Training location:
Belmont Abbey College, Belmont, North Carolina

Salary range: $60,238-$92,290

Salary increases occur as successful applicants complete the Short School and each year of service:

Career Stage / Annual Salary

• While attending the 171st Western Basic Short School --> $60,238
• Upon graduation from the 171st Western Basic Short School --> $63,250
• Completion of Year 1 as a Trooper --> $67,361
• Completion of Year 2 as a Trooper --> $71,739
• Completion of Year 3 as a Trooper --> $76,403
• Completion of Year 4 as a Trooper --> $81,368
• Completion of Year 5 as a Trooper --> $86,657
• Completion of Year 6 as a Trooper --> $92,290

As a member of our team, you will contribute to public safety by enforcing traffic laws and reducing crime on public streets and highways in North Carolina. Duties include assisting the public in emergencies; investigating highway accidents; apprehending violators of the laws and/or issuing warnings; testifying in court; and assisting other law enforcement agencies to ensure public safety.

Note:

This job classification qualifies for the employee referral bonus program. If you were referred to this job posting by a current NCSHP employee, and you are eventually hired, that employee could qualify for a referral bonus.

• Currently hold North Carolina Basic Law Enforcement Training certification (BLET).
• Be 21 years of age by the first day of Basic School and no more than 39 years of age on the first day of Basic School.
• Possess a High School diploma or General Educational Development (GED).
• Score at or above a 10th-grade reading…