About the program 

Learn what it means to be a part of the pride, tradition and excellence of Minnesota State Troopers with our ride-along program. The program allows people interested in becoming part of the Minnesota State Patrol to join a trooper for part of the day, including riding along with them during patrol. 

Who is eligible 

• You must be interested in a career with the Minnesota State Patrol. 

• You must be at least 18 years old. 

• You must have a valid driver's license. 

Who is not eligible 

The Minnesota State Patrol Ride-Along follows the same list of disqualifiers used in our hiring process for state troopers. If any of these apply to you, you will not be allowed to participate in a ride-along with the State Patrol. 

• A felony in Minnesota or any other state or federal jurisdiction. 

• Assault in the Fifth Degree under Minnesota Statute §609.224 or relevant statute in any other state or federal jurisdiction. 

• Domestic Assault in the Fifth Degree under Minnesota Statute §609.2242 

• Crimes listed under Minnesota Statutes §609.23, 609.231, 609.2325, 609.233, 609.2335, 609.234, (Mistreatment, Crimes Against Vulnerable Adults and Related Statutes). 

• Prostitution related acts under Minnesota Statutes §609.322, 609.324. 

• Presenting False Claims to a Public Officer or Body under Minnesota Statute §609-465. 

• Medical Assistance Fraud under Minnesota Statute §609-466. 

• Theft under Minnesota Statute §609.52 (any dollar amount). 

• Disorderly Conduct as a caregiver under Minnesota Statute §609.72, Subd 3. 

• The applicant must not be required to register as a predatory offender under Minnesota Statutes §243.166 or §243.167. 

• Under any state or federal narcotics or controlled substance law irrespective of any proceeding under Minnesota Stature §152.18 (discharge or dismissal hearing) or other similar law of another state or federal law; or of any crimes listed in this item in another state or federal jurisdiction, or under a local ordinance that would be a conviction if committed in Minnesota. 

• Possession of burglary or theft tools under Minnesota Statute §609.59. 

• A crime for which the penalty was enhanced under Minnesota Statute §626.5531(Bias Motivated). 

• Any Obstruction of the Legal Process, Arrest, or Firefighting under Minnesota Statute §609.50 within the previous 60 months. 

• Leaving the Scene of an Accident within the previous 60 months. 

• Any No-Insurance conviction under Minnesota Statutes §169.792 or §65B.48 within the previous 12 months or two convictions within 60 months; or having a driver's license suspended twice for No Insurance within the previous 60 months. 

• A Driver's License Suspension, Revocation, Cancellation or Withdrawal for No-Proof of Insurance twice within the previous 60 months. 

• Driver's License Revocation under implied consent laws within the last 60 months. 

• Misdemeanor or Gross Misdemeanor Driving Under the Influence, Careless or Reckless Driving within the last 60 months. 

• Two traffic violations within the previous 12 months, three within the previous 36 months or four or more within the previous 60 months. This includes: continued for dismissal and Dimler violations. 

• Driving after suspension, revocation, cancellation or withdrawal in the previous 60 months. 

How to apply 

To apply for the Ride-Along program, complete the Ride-Along Application form and submit it using the instructions on the form. 

Ride-along applications are processed in the order we receive them. During times of high demand, wait times may be longer. You will be contacted by the district as soon as they have a trooper available. 

If you are selected 

Ride-along scheduling 

• The time and date you complete your ride-along is up to the district and/ or trooper allowing you to ride with them. If you arrange a time but are unable to complete your ride-along, please immediately call the district or trooper to cancel. 

• Troopers have the discretion to decide the length of your ride-along. Your ride along can be cut short or discontinued at any time. 

Ride-along dress code 

• All articles of clothing must fit properly and be clean and free of rips, tears, holes, frayed edges and missing buttons. Do not wear dirty garments or items in disrepair.  

• Jeans are acceptable as long as they fall under the standards outlined above. Do not wear sweatpants, shorts, wind pants, scrubs, bib overalls and exercise apparel.  

• Do not wear a sleeveless shirts of any kind, including tank tops, muscle shirts, sleeveless sports attire or men's underwear shirts. 

• Shoes or boots should be clean. Do not wear any style of sandals. 

• Do not wear any clothing that features obscenity, sexually suggestive or violent language, or demeans any person or group is. 

​Questions? 

Please email us at patrol.recruiter@state.mn.us or call the Training and Development Section at 651-757-1900.