It’s an exciting time at the Kansas Highway Patrol. Thursday at the Kansas Highway Patrol Training Academy, the 11 newest Kansas state troopers graduated from their 23 weeks of classroom training.
They will now move on to their counties of residence and begin training with their field training officers. Additionally, the next recruit class starts this July, and just this week the application phase was opened for KHP Class #55, who will begin their careers with the agency in July 2015.
Class #53 and their family members spent much of the morning together at the training academy, going through family programs and a program for the spouses. At 1:00, the class entered the auditorium with a cadence. The KHP Honor Guard posted the colors and led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance. The National Anthem was sung, and Class #53 Trooper Jonathon Richards provided the invocation. The audience was welcomed and introductions were provided.
Coach Bill Snyder, Kansas State University Head Football Coach, took the stage to deliver the graduation address to the class. He said of achieving one’s goals, “It’s not about how fast you are or how strong you are. It’s about what’s in our minds, what’s in our hearts, and how hard we will work to get there.” Snyder also encouraged the 11 new troopers not to be content with just remaining the person they are today, that there’s always room for growth. He also emphasized the importance of mentoring, and caring for others to help make someone else’s life better. “Those who have been in the Patrol understand concept of mentoring. You’ve mentored the 11 troopers here today. Mentoring means a lot to me. You 11 new troopers will be in that role too,” he said. “You’re going to have opportunity to be one of those people who give back. In your roles, you will have the opportunity to try to make life better for others.”
Trooper Gregory Etris, Class #53 President, responded for his class. “We all have pushed each other to give our best each day,” he said. “We stand ready to protect the innocent from those who would do harm. These men are my brothers. They are my comrades.”
The class then took their oath of office and received their badges, each being pinned by one of their loved ones. KHP command staff members addressed the audience and the class; and the new troopers’ family members were thanked for their support thus far in the training of the 11 newest members of the Patrol. In a tradition of the Patrol, the 10 KHP troopers who have lost their lives in the line of duty were honored. Richards also provided the benediction.
Throughout their time at the training academy, recruits have gone through classroom and practical training. They have learned accident investigation techniques; testing of impaired drivers; Kansas laws and statutes; among many other things. They have practiced car stops; at the firing range; defensive tactics; testing for DUI; and other critical training components that they will need to incorporate as they are on their own out on the road.
New troopers have been assigned to the following counties: Bourbon, Finney (2 troopers), Franklin, Johnson, Lyon, McPherson (2 troopers), Riley, Sedgwick, and Thomas. Following graduation, these new troopers will begin field training with seasoned road troopers for several months.