ISP facing hiring struggles with few applicants for trooper positions in the Lewiston district

The Idaho State Police is facing a critical shortage of applicants for trooper positions in the Lewiston area, with only four individuals applying for six available roles and just one candidate selected. ISP Sgt. Travis Hight reflected on the stark decline from 1,700 applicants for ten positions in 2007, indicating a troubling trend in recruitment. In response, the agency has extended the application deadline for its January training academy, which aims to fill vacancies in Districts 1 and 2. Starting salaries for Idaho troopers are around $58,000 annually, notably lower than the $70,000 offered by the Washington State Patrol, contributing to the loss of personnel to neighboring states.

Hight suspects that the rigorous background check process may disqualify many applicants, emphasizing the need for public trust in law enforcement. He is actively promoting the lifestyle and opportunities in north central Idaho, as many out-of-state applicants are unaware of the region. The upcoming training academy will last 22 weeks, during which new recruits will receive extensive training. Interested candidates can find application details at bit. ly/46LC8aE.