Pennsylvania State Police cadet applications increase 240% after dropping college credit requirement
HARRISBURG, Pa. (KDKA) -- Pennsylvania State Police said they saw a 240% jump in cadet applications after dropping the college credit requirement this summer.
Of the 1,545 people who applied since the state waived the requirement of 60 credits at the end of August, state police said on Tuesday that 659 of them have a high school diploma and would have been previously ineligible.
During the last hiring cycle, which was open for six months, 1,374 people applied, averaging 229 applications a month. During the current cycle, which was only two months to allow cadets to graduate during the current fiscal year, state police averaged 779 eligible applications -- a 240% increase.
"We eliminated the college credit requirement on a trial basis for this period of cadet applications to expand opportunities for a rewarding career as a state trooper," Colonel Christopher Paris, Commissioner of the state police, said in a news release. "This will help us attract quality talent for the comprehensive and rigorous training that prepares cadets for a place among our ranks."
Cadet applicants must now have a high school diploma or GED and a valid driver's license. Applicants are required to be a Pennsylvania resident and at least 20 years old when they apply. After completing the training academy, cadets are promoted to troopers.
Police said the change to the requirement will be re-evaluated based on the results of multiple application cycles. The current cycle ends on Tuesday.
In his first executive order, Shapiro announced that 92% of state government jobs, or about 65,000 positions, won't require a four-year college degree. He's ordered all agencies under his jurisdiction to take steps to emphasize work experience in their hiring.