What is the job of a state trooper?

I've been thinking about going into law enforcement after high school. Can someone explain what a state trooper does? Like, what are their typical duties and responsibilities? I want to understand what the daily life of a state trooper looks like.

State troopers, also known as highway patrol officers, play an essential role in law enforcement, with a specific focus on maintaining safety and adherence to the law on the highways and major roadways within their state.

One of their primary tasks is traffic enforcement, which covers monitoring the roads for traffic violations such as speeding, erratic driving, or not adhering to safety regulations like seat belts or child restraints. When they spot any such infractions, they are responsible for pulling the driver over and issuing citations.

State troopers are also typically involved in investigating and responding to accidents on the state’s highways. They collect evidence, write reports, and sometimes testify in court. They are tasked with assisting motorists, which can include anything from helping with flat tires to providing directions and rerouting traffic around accidents or hazards.

State troopers often assist in larger-scale law enforcement actions. This could be helping with natural disaster responses, assisting local law enforcement agencies with events or crimes, or providing security for public events. State troopers are often involved in tasks like drug interdiction or assisting with investigations related to wider criminal activities.

Additionally, many state troop divisions have specialized units, like canine, tactical, or aviation units. These offer an opportunity for further progression and specialization within the role of a state trooper. However, the individual responsibilities within these specialized roles will differ.

Peak times for state troopers often align with the heaviest travel times; therefore, the daily life of a state trooper can involve frequent night, weekend, and holiday work. Their schedule might also involve shifts that exceed 8 hours.

If you are interested in becoming a state trooper, you'll need to meet minimum age and education requirements (usually at least 21 years old with a high school diploma), be in good physical condition, and pass a series of exams, interviews, and training. It's also important to note that the lifestyle can be quite challenging, given the irregular hours, physical demands, and the stressful nature of some of the job's tasks.