Fulton County Ohio Media

On Tuesday morning, between the hours of 10:00 am and 12:00 pm, the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) Post 89 located at 8891 County Road 1 in Swanton, hosted an Open House for anyone interested in joining the OSHP in a variety of positions, most specifically troopers and dispatchers.  Sergeant Chad A. Recker, Assistant Post Commander at the Lima Post 2, gave a tour of the facility and listed some of the eligibility requirements potential recruits had to meet for consideration and what an applicant would encounter during the process.

“Right now, our numbers are kind of low, that’s why we’re having these recruiting events,” explained Sergeant Recker.  “We can have anywhere from 9 to 15 troopers at a post, depending where you’re at and the majority of their job is on the roadways.  Every post has a post secretary and a maintenance shop as well.”

Initial minimum requirements are as follows: Applicants must be age 20-39, a U.S. Citizen, have a high school diploma or a GED and a valid driver’s license with no more than five (5) active points in the last two years.  Applications are submitted online at www.careers.ohio.gov *Keyword – Cadet, *Trooper (Cadet) job posting.

You must self-schedule for your written and physical fitness test via the link sent through email.  The written test consists of 50 multiple choice questions with a minimum passing score of 74%.

Requirements for the physical test (push-ups, sit-ups, 1.50-mile run) differ by Gender and Age:  Male 20-29 (22/33/13.58), Male 30-39 (17/30/14.33), Female 20-29 (10-24-17.11), Female 30-39 (8/20/18.18).

Pre-Employment Questionnaires must be downloaded, filled out and turned in before proceeding.  Next will be a Polygraph Exam, In-depth Background Investigation, Drug Screen, Selection Committee, Psychological Assessment, Medical Review then Placement in an Academy Class.

“After all that, you are set up for a class that is roughly six months down in Columbus, Monday through Friday, but it’s a paid academy ($22.00/hour for 40 hours of work).  You are housed, fed, clothed and get liberty on the weekends,” said Sergeant Recker.  “After you complete the academy, you are guaranteed to be within 50 air miles of your residence of where you are going to be stationed.  You are set with a field training officer for three months, 70 shifts, and after that you are on your own.”

Pay and Benefits are as follows:  Upon graduation, starting pay is 34.22/hour in 2025 and 35.25/hour in 2026.  There are 11 paid holiday per year and paid time off also includes vacation, personal and sick leave.  Paid vision and dental insurance after one year of service.  Quality, affordable, and competitive medical benefits are offered through the Ohio Med PPO Plan.  Cadets qualify for tuition reimbursement after one year of service.

Current policy states no tattoos above the neck or below the wrist.  Applicants who have visible tattoos in the short sleeve uniform will be required to wear the long sleeve uniform year-round.

Photo: OSHP Sergeant Chad Recker