General Requirements

• An applicant must be a citizen of the United States.
• An applicant must possess a valid operator's (driver's) license.
• An applicant must have reached the age of eighteen (18) years in order to be admitted as a candidate to the state police training school. The maximum age of admission to the Training Academy is age thirty-five (35).
• An applicant must be a high school graduate, or have obtained a General Equivalency Diploma (GED) issued by a State Department of Education
• There are no maximum or minimum height requirements.
• An applicant's weight must be in proportion to his/her height.
• An applicant must possess visual acuity of 20/40 (binocular vision) or better without correction, and visual acuity of 20/20 or better with corrective lenses (glasses or contact lenses).
• An applicant must possess normal color and depth perception as determined by a Division physician.
• An applicant must possess normal hearing ability, as determined by a Division physician, without the use of mechanical or electronic aids.
  

Personal Survey:

Service in the Rhode Island State Police requires active, intelligent people whose reputations are above reproach. High moral, mental, and physical standards are demanded and maintained.

• Are you willing to have your personal background thoroughly investigated?
• Can you undergo an intensive academic and physical training program?
• Are you willing to attend a strict, regimented and disciplined paramilitary style training academy?
• Are you willing to be separated from your family during a twenty-one (21) week recruit training program?
• Can your family adjust to your absence while you are undergoing recruit training?
• Are you willing, when required, to work long irregular hours and endure hardships and danger in the performance of your duty?
• Are you willing to abide by the rules and regulations of the Rhode Island State Police and enforce the law impartially?
  

Applicant Selection Process:

Applicants must successfully complete a written examination, which measures interpersonal skills and cognitive reasoning. The examination is designed, prepared, and scored by an independent, professional research company. All candidates will receive a study guide prior to administration of the written examination.

Applicants must download the Physical Fitness Test Booklet prior to being scheduled for their physical fitness test. This physical fitness booklet explains in detail each event and the minimum requirements for each event.

Applicants must successfully pass a Physical Fitness Test which encompasses the following events:

• Vertical Jump

This is a measure of muscular explosiveness or strength of the applicant's legs. Applicants will stand with one side toward the wall and reach up as high as possible to mark his/her standard reach. Applicants will jump as high as possible and mark the spot on the wall above his/her standard reach mark. Prior to the jump, one foot must remain stationary on the floor.

• Sit Ups

This is a measure of muscular endurance of the applicant's abdominal and hip flexor muscles. Applicants must lie on their backs, knees bent, with fingers interlocked behind their head, heels flat on the floor. Another applicant will hold their feet down. Heels will be approximately the distance between the applicant's outstretched thumb and small finger from the buttocks. From the "down or starting" position on their back, the applicant will raise their upper body, fingers interlocked behind their head, and touch their elbows to their knees at the "up" ending position. Applicants will then lower themselves until their shoulder blades touch the mat. This will be recorded as one (1) correct sit up. Applicants may rest only in the "up" position. The applicant score will be the total number of correct sit ups completed in one (1) minute.

• 300 Meter Run

This is a measure of applicant's anaerobic power capacity. Applicant's will run a distance of 300 meters at a maximal level of effort. Time used to complete the distance will be recorded in seconds.

• Push Ups

This is a measure of the applicant's muscular endurance of the upper body (anterior deltoids, pectorals and triceps). The applicant's hands are placed slightly wider than shoulder width apart, with fingers pointed forward. The administrator of the event will place one (1) sponge on the floor below the applicant's chest. If a male is testing a female applicant, a three (3) inch sponge should be placed under the sternum to substitute for the fist. Starting from the up position (elbows extended), the applicant must keep their back straight at all times and lower their body to the floor until their chest touches the administrator's fist or sponge. The applicant then returns to the up position. This is recorded as one (1) correct push up. Resting should be done only in the up position. The total number of push ups with correct form completed in one (1) minute is recorded as the score.

• 1.5 Mile Run

This test is used to measure the efficiency of the cardiovascular system and how it responds to imposed physical demand. The applicant must run or jog a distance of 1.5 miles in the shortest time possible. All scores are individually recorded.

Applicants determined eligible for further processing will appear before an Oral Interview Board.

Applicants will have an extensive background investigation conducted by a member of the Rhode Island State Police Detective Bureau regarding their past employment record, education, criminal history, consumer credit history, community reputation, military service, and overall character.

Applicants determined eligible for further processing are administered a written psychological examination, along with a follow-up interview by a licensed psychologist. All evaluations are interpreted by a licensed psychologist retained by the Division.

Applicants determined eligible for further processing must pass a complete medical examination and be found physically qualified by a physician designated by the Rhode Island State Police.

Remaining applicants files are reviewed and qualified applicants are selected to attend the Training Academy.

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