South Dakota Highway Patrol to Graduate Nine New Troopers
The members of Class 61 have completed eight months of training, which included basic law enforcement training, attending the South Dakota Highway Patrol Recruit Academy, and, finally, field training.
The South Dakota Highway Patrol is scheduled to welcome nine new troopers to its ranks at an April 12 graduation ceremony in Pierre. The public is invited to attend the ceremony, which starts at 10 a.m. in the State Capitol Rotunda, with Gov. Kristi Noem serving as the guest speaker. The patrol's news release about the event said members of Class 61 have completed eight months of training, which included basic law enforcement training, attending the South Dakota Highway Patrol Recruit Academy, and, finally, field training.
"It is not easy to become a Highway Patrol trooper, but we want to prepare them for any situation they might face," said Craig Price, Cabinet Secretary of the state Department of Public Safety, parent agency of the patrol. "Graduation is a major milestone, and we are proud to share the moment with the recruits and their families."
The graduating recruits and their duty stations are: Brandon Akron, Mobridge; Jordan Anderson, Presho; Jonathan Barthel, Milbank; Kellen Hood, Belle Fourche; David Koch, Aberdeen; James Linn, Sturgis; Jordan Moses, Pierre; Mason Ostenson, Belle Fourche; and Blake Richters, Pierre. "These recruits bring their own backgrounds, life experiences, and skills to the Highway Patrol. Each of them will help make the Patrol stronger and better able to meet the needs of the public," said Price.
Following graduation, the new troopers will receive their patrol cars, which will be parked behind the state Capitol. Many of the graduates are scheduled to be on duty as early as April 13.