Applications Open For The Oklahoma Highway Patrol's 70th Academy

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is opening applications up for its 70th Academy.

OHP is hoping to fill a need for more troopers across the state.

Oklahoma is currently down more than 3,000 troopers, but new requirements are making it easier for potential applicants.

Per state statute, candidates must have a minimum of 62 college semester credit hours.

Thanks to new legislation, applicants can apply with 24 hours and get the other 38 during the academy.

Trooper Eric Foster says filling the shortage is a huge priority, especially when it comes to making sure there are enough troopers to respond to calls in rural Oklahoma as fast as possible.

Foster says with their numbers down right now, it can make the job harder and more dangerous for the troopers they do have.

“When you have one trooper that may be covering two or three of those counties by himself, think about the danger posed to the trooper himself," Foster said. "But also the response times get stretched out, and that can be a danger to the citizens of Oklahoma as well.”

Anyone interested in joining the academy can fill out an application at Jointheohp.com

The application process is open until April 16.