(1) The selection program for such training school shall consist of application, examination, investigation and interview:

(a) Application. — The commissioner shall prescribe an application that shall contain a case history of the applicant, fingerprints, picture of the applicant, certified copies of birth certificate and transcript of school records. Said application may include certified copies of any discharge from the services of the United States government.

(b) Examination. — The commissioner shall adopt a standardized test for applicants and each shall be required to take the prescribed examination on a competitive basis. The commissioner shall further require a physical examination by a staff of competent doctors to determine that each applicant selected is in good physical condition, including height-weight ratio as recommended by the United States Air Force, with no deformities.

(c) Investigation. — The commissioner shall require an investigation of each applicant to determine that he or she is of good moral character, between the ages of twenty-three (23) and thirty-two (32), that he or she has completed a high school education, and that he or she is honest, reliable, loyal and above reproach.

(d) Interview. — The commissioner shall require an interview of each applicant considered for patrol service to be conducted and may require an interview with his family if necessary to determine that the applicant fulfills the requirements as prescribed in paragraph (c), as well as any other rules and regulations that may be prescribed. The commissioner may at his discretion require the services of psychiatrists, doctors, police officers or other professional people in conducting such interviews.

(2) Before any person may be selected to attend a school or be appointed as a member of the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol, the applicant must fulfill all the requirements as prescribed in this section and meet the standards prescribed in this section and meet the standards prescribed by the department, and may be required to submit to a polygraph examination in connection with the employment application.

(3) All applications, birth certificates, transcripts and other records submitted by an applicant shall become the property of the State of Mississippi and the department of public safety, shall be held confidential and shall not be discoverable by judicial process. Such records may be destroyed after five (5) years from the time of application.