Most such jobs require service as a ground pounder before application to air ops. In many cases air ops is clicky, and hard to get into since it's not too hard to get a CPL.
Depends on the department, IIRC some even hire pilots off the street. In that case you might go straight to air or maybe serve some ground time first so you know what you're supporting.
You'd really need to get some HUMINT from the department in question.
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.
