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Navigation Helper -FAQ- Where am I? |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How fast can I really drive?This is probably the most asked question that any Trooper or Law Enforcement official is asked. The answer has really been in front of you for years. The maximum speed allowed on any given roadway is that which is set by law. For example, the freeway from the Iowa State Line to just South of the Twin Cities Metro area is posted at 70 miles per hour. That posting of 70 is the maximum speed allowed. The same is true on any Freeway, Highway, Road or Street. The maximum speed allowed is that which is set by law. Back to TopWhat kind of gun do you carry?Each Trooper is issued a Beretta model 96D Centurion, .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun. We are also issued a 12 gauge shotgun. Some Trooper's in the Greater Minnesota regions are also issued a semi-automatic rifle. Back to TopI've been called by a fundraiser...If you have been called by a telemarketer and they tell you they represent the Minnesota State Patrol Troopers Association, they are misrepresenting themselves. The Troopers Association no longer participates in home solicitation.
What kind of motor do you have in the squad car?Most of us are driving Ford Crown Victoria's with a standard 4.6 liter engine. Back to TopHow many Trooper's are there?This is a difficult question to answer. We are authorized to operate at 535 people. However, with people on light duty due to injuries or the like, or people on special assignment the actual number dips down to about 400 give or take. Back to TopHow much of an area does a Trooper cover?Typically a Trooper covers the area within the assigned "beat" or "station". For example, looking at a Trooper who works in the Rochester District 2100, in the 2130 station, works in all of Freeborn and Mower counties. The State is divided up into 11 main Districts, each District is then subdivided into smaller sections called stations. On a typical day, each Trooper will work his or her station, but there are times when we are called upon to work areas other than our station. Examples of this would be special events, bad weather, VIP escort, security or special enforcement details. Back to TopWhat is the Trooper's Association?M.S.P.T.A. stands for the Minnesota State Patrol Trooper's Association. We are the women and men you see in the patrol cars on the street. Most if not all Trooper's pay dues to the Association and in return we have a unified voice when it comes to dealing with the legislature or the State Patrol. Some might say that we are a union and that might be so, however as an Association we fight for stiffer laws and better laws when it comes to highway safety. See M.S.P.T.A. for more details. Back to TopI have more questions not answered here!Please use the comments/feed back form to ask your question. Or send an email message to postmaster(at)mspta.com and we will try to get it answered. Back to topWhat steps do I have to take to become a Trooper?First, you must meet all of the requirements set forth by the Minnesota Peace Officer's Standard's and Testing board (POST). Please go to the Recruiting section for a link to the POST board website. Second, you must make written application to the State of Minnesota and be willing to accept assignment anywhere in the State. Next, you need to take a written test, possibly attend an oral board, make it through a background investigation and physical and medical and psychological examinations. If you make it through all of this and then get selected by the Chief, you must attend our training academy which will last around 15 to 18 weeks, after which you will have a 12 week field training period. Back to TopJust how hard is Rookie School?The State Patrol Training Academy is probably the hardest endeavor that most any of us have ever been through. Words alone cannot describe how you feel during the many weeks of training. Not only is it physically demanding, but mentally demanding. Yes, some people have quit the school only after a few days or weeks. This is testament to the difficulty of the training school. Many people have compared our school with that of military basic training. As a cadet, you are under pressure from before sun up to well after sun down. The faster you allow yourself to be torn down, the faster you will be built back up. One of the reasons to have a school in this manner is due to the fact that we as Troopers are spread out all over the State. The only way to maintain cohesiveness between corners of the state is to have a stress school. Plus, each of us works alone, far from help. If you cannot handle the stress of the school, how do you expect to handle the stress of an irate drunk driver trying to wrestle you for your gun? Back to TopHow can I be more safe on the roads?Two things come to mind right away, slow down and buckle up. People are driving too fast, especially in poor driving conditions. Even if the weather is bad and the roads slick, don't drive the speed limit, slow down! If you see a vehicle in the ditch, that's probably a pretty good indicator that the road is slick. Look for a straight piece of road that is level, be sure no one is behind you and lightly tap the brakes. You can feel the tires slide. If they do, slow down! A 4-wheel drive vehicle starts out quicker on ice than a rear or front wheel vehicle, but nothing can stop any better on ice. Remember, you can drive several hundred miles per hour on glare ice so long as you stay in straight line. Add in a curve or a hill or traffic, now you have problems. Be courteous. Smile at the car next to you. Don't use your car as a weapon! If you are angry, don't let that emotion take over your car. If need be, find an exit and take a breather. Stop and count to 10. Just don't try to ram the person that just cut you off. If need be, obtain a license plate, describe the driver, find your location and call the local State Patrol. If you see emergency lights up ahead, slow down and take into account the environment. We are out there trying to help people, don't make it more dangerous for Law Enforcement. People always ask if we are afraid of being shot. Most of us aren't afraid of being shot, rather being run over. Every winter, many Trooper's are hit, in and out of their squad cars. Back to TopWhat are some of the common traffic stops?Speed (even a few MPH over the limit) Back to TopI've been involved in a car crash, now what do I do?Unfortunately, car crashes are a fact of human nature. We really do hope that our efforts will be realized in fewer crashes throughout the entire State, but we know that car crashes will and do happen. So what should you do? First, if you are hurt, call 911 on your cell phone if you can. Be sure to give the call taker as much information that you can. Even if you aren't sure or are too afraid to make an emergency call, please do, it will help us do a better job. All too often people will call a friend or spouse first, we understand your desire to do that, but please, call us first so we can serve you better. Second, if you have hit a deer, State law does not require you to have a law enforcement officer file a report. As a matter of fact, law enforcement is not required to be on the scene of any property damage crash so long as all owners are present. The exception to this would be if you damaged someone else's property. Simply note the date, time and location of the crash and report it to your insurance company later, most companies pay the claims under your comprehensive section of your insurance. If the damages are over $1,000, you must file a crash report with the Department of Public Safety. You can get this form at any local law enforcement center near you or go to http://www.mndriveinfo.org and look along the left side for "forms" - "motor vehicle" to print the form. Third, if you have crashed into another vehicle or that vehicle crashed into you, make sure nobody is hurt. Get the cars out of the traffic lanes if you can and turn on your emergency flashers. If someone is hurt, or the vehicles are disabled, call 911. If nobody is hurt and the vehicles are still in a driving condition, gather as much information from the other person as possible. Be sure to ask for their driver's license and proof of insurance. Be sure the addresses are current and the policy is in force. Also, be sure to write down the license plate and vehicle description and who the owner is. If all else fails, please call 911 and we will make sure that the appropriate law enforcement agency responds to your crash. Some days the call load is such that we must prioritize our calls. If nobody is hurt and the vehicles are out of the lanes of traffic, we may not be able to respond for an hour or more. Please, be patient, we will get there. **If you have lost control because you were driving too fast for the existing conditions and you have gone into the ditch or median, we want you to think of something. You lost control and you went into the ditch or median. What are the chances that someone else will do the same? Please, do not stand around your car or vehicle, looking at it. Odds are really good that someone else will lose control and go into the same spot you are. This means that you will be hit. It hurts a lot less if you get hit while you are in your car with your seatbelt on. We have had several incidents when people were struck by other vehicles while they were standing in the ditch or median.** Back to TopHome | Airwing | Crash Recon | State Patrol Website | Traffic Law | FAQ's
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