Nebraska State Patrol looking to fill more than 60 open roles

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The Nebraska State Patrol has around 65 open positions statewide — a number it’s hoping to reduce.

And it’s not just a Nebraska problem.

Recruiting and retention is one of the top issues facing law enforcement agencies across the United States.

From March 2020 to August 2022, the number of law enforcement employees across the nation fell by 4%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

One trooper helping with the state patrol’s recruitment efforts is Madison Reynoldson.

Originally from Norfolk, Reynoldson said she never planned for a career like this.

“Worked for my parents at a gas station and got robbed at gunpoint,” Reynoldson said. “Was planning on doing business in college, and that kind of changed my path. Did a ride along and loved it and hopped right in.”

This is the last week that applications are open for the next class of troopers, and before the deadline passes Monday, the patrol is going all-out to attract candidates.

Reynoldson hit on the benefits, including little ones like the take-home cars, paid uniforms and paid training.

But there’s big ones too, she said.

“Pension, which is huge,” she said. “A lot of young people don’t think about that, but we try and educate them on that.”

And the cons?

“There’s nothing that I would tell you is a con I guess, which is awesome,” Reynoldson said. “It’s not very often you work someplace that you can say that.”

One thing that’s unusual this year is that there are open positions for troopers based out of Lincoln and Omaha.

The patrol hopes the availability of those duty stations will entice more recruits.

A virtual recruitment event is planned for Thursday from 6 to 7 p.m. Central time.