39 new Georgia State Troopers graduate from Trooper School, agency says

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Georgia State Patrol announced its 115th Trooper School graduates had completed their training and will be assigned to units across the state.

According to GSP, the 39 graduates spent 32 weeks training intensely at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth.

Having graduated, the troopers will be assigned to one of the 52 patrol posts around Georgia.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Troopers spend their training split, with 20 weeks at the academy and 12 weeks training in the field. They’re also required by the Georgia Peace Office Standards and Training Council to get at least 408 hours of Basic Madate Training, according to GSP.

At their Friday graduation, Gov. Brian Kemp delivered their graduation address and gave them their Oaths of Office.

GSP said Colonel Billy Hitchens, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety, and Captain Craig Singletary, Director of Training also provided remarks.

TRENDING STORIES:

• 2 killed after overnight crash on I-75 involving 4 cars, Cobb police say
• 3-year-old red panda found dead at Zoo Atlanta
• Corcs, Fucci, Louis Vatun: $2M in fake products seized from Fayette store, police arrest 3

Trooper Class President Kenneth Williams spoke as well, summarizing the group’s training as they went through Trooper School.

“Those hard and exhausting moments led us to where we are today,” Williams said. “In the words of Kirby Smart, “When you step on that field, it’s not just about you. It’s about your teammates, your coaches, your family, and all those that supported you along the way. Remember your why, 115th be proud, be vigilant, and be safe!”

A few graduates were also honored for their performance during the training period.

GSP said those graduates were:

• Driving Proficiency – Trooper Daniel Pendleton
• Firearms Proficiency – Trooper Austin Scott
• Top Gun – Trooper Daniel Pendleton
• Highest Academic Average – Trooper Christian Clark

Another trooper received the state’s second annual Patrick Dupree Leadership Award, which officials say is presented to cadets that show leadership even while not serving as class president. The award is presented in honor of Dupree, who passed while a Trooper Cadet of the 113th Class on Sept. 8, 2022 after performing a training exercise.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

IN OTHER NEWS:

3 teens arrested in stolen car used in shooting after chase with Gwinnett police

©2023 Cox Media Group