Oklahoma Highway Patrol to hold first ever “bridge” academy

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol 69th Academy will be the agency’s first ever “bridge” academy.

Applications will be open to current, full-time Council on Oklahoma Law Enforcement and Training (CLEET) certified law enforcement officers with at least two years of experience. Out-of-state officers may become eligible by obtaining CLEET certification through reciprocity.

Cadets accepted into the “bridge” academy will receive a starting pay equal to a second year trooper. OHP will be offering residential contracts to cadets in this academy, meaning they will be able to request a particular field troop and county for their first assignment. OHP does not have any vaccine requirementsBri

“OHP is facing an imminent shortage of troopers, partly due to the large number of them retiring,” said OHP Chief Pat Mays. “We’re looking at creative ways to recruit for the agency. Hiring men and women who already have law enforcement experience allows us to get them on the roads sooner. And we know there are many current officers and deputies who would make excellent troopers and enjoy the benefits of a career with OHP.”

Applications for the 69th Academy are now open and can be accessed at bridge academy.

OHP is accepting applications through December 20.The bridge academy will begin April 21, 2022 and will be an abbreviated, standard OHP academy with a graduation date of July 8, 2022.

OHP is also holding a Trooper to Trooper Academy in 2022. Applications for the 68th Academy have already closed. The Trooper to Trooper Academy begins February 21, 2022 with a graduation date of April 29, 2022.

Complete qualifications and information on the “bridge” academy can be found online at jointheohp.com.