(Indianapolis, IN) – The 88th Indiana State Police Lateral Recruit Academy held its graduation ceremony in the Indiana State Museum Auditorium on Thursday.
The commencement address was given by Indiana State Police Superintendent and Decatur County resident Anthony Scott.
Following the commencement address, Indiana Supreme Court Associate Justice Christopher Goff administered the oath of office to the 14 new troopers.
Each new trooper was then presented with their badge and official identification by Superintendent Scott and his staff.
Each graduating trooper has been assigned to one of 14 State Police Posts across Indiana, including three who have been assigned to the Versailles Post.
They are Austin Jefferson of Aurora, and Madison residents Logan Gray and Charles Miller, Jr.
This recruit class consisted entirely of full-time merit law enforcement officers all of whom had a minimum of three continuous years of law enforcement service.
Because of that previous training and experience, this lateral academy contained eight weeks of intense training which totaled more than 250 hours.
Some subject areas of training included criminal and traffic law, de-escalation, emergency vehicle operations, defensive tactics, firearms, impaired driving detection, scenario-based training, and a host of other academic subjects related to modern policing.
Once at their assigned district, the new troopers will spend the next three months working side by side with a series of experienced Field Training Officers.
The purpose of the field training is to put to practical application the training received throughout the formal academy training.
Upon successful completion of field training, the new troopers will be assigned a State Police patrol vehicle and will begin solo patrol in their assigned district.
