Nebraska State Patrol partners with Army and Guard to help soldiers become troopers

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The Nebraska State Patrol, the U.S. Army and the Nebraska National Guard announced a partnership on Thursday for a new recruitment program.

The program Partnership for Your Success helps soldiers prepare for a career after their military service. 

Col. John Bolduc with the Nebraska State Patrol said this program will help fill the recruitment gap in his agency.

“This partnership with the U.S. Army and the Nebraska National Guard will really be helpful in our recruiting efforts,” Bolduc said. “Law enforcement recruitment is a challenge across the country, and we currently have over 60 vacancies.”  

He said those coming from the military are naturally qualified to serve the community.

“They have that servant’s heart and are committed to continuing to serve,” Bolduc said. “They make great leaders, they make great troopers, great investigators.”

The partnership is also an opportunity for soldiers who desire to continue serving the public after they complete their service in the Army. 

Right now, the Nebraska State Patrol has numerous military veterans and active National Guard soldiers serving as troopers. They bring their military knowledge and training to work in law enforcement.

Chris Moore, a trooper pilot, said his experience in the National Guard gave him skills that other pilots don’t have.

“In the Army, we do a lot of things that they do not do on a civilian side when it comes to flying,” he said. “And that experience helps drastically with assisting the other pilots in training.”