to apply, you need to be a "Trooper-II" (two) level which is typically 3-4 years of patrol/ground time, as a Texas DPS trooper.

which I don't disagree with. Most flying LE departments, have a "USMC" mentality, rifleman first, then you are a Pilot. To support, understand, etc the ground guys, you need to have been one of them.

with that said, I have seen Private Pilots get hired as troopers, kick butt as a trooper (lots of arrests, DUI stops, kudos from citizens, etc), fly occasionally at the local airport to keep current, and slide into these LE pilot jobs.