Graduation set to introduce 40 new OHP troopers

Department of Public Safety officials announce the graduation of the 61st Oklahoma Highway Patrol Academy.

Graduation and commissioning ceremonies for forty new Oklahoma Highway Patrol Troopers will be held Thursday, July 18, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. at the Memorial Road Church of Christ at 2221 E. Memorial Road in Edmond.

Five female cadets will graduate on Thursday, increasing the OHP female ranks state-wide by 33%. This will bring the total number of female state troopers to an all-time high of twenty.

“We congratulate all of these new troopers on their hard work and dedication,” said DPS Commissioner Mike Thompson.

OHP Chief, Colonel Kerry Pettingill said, “These men and women have shown that they have what it takes to be a part of our organization and we welcome them to our family.”

The next phase of training for the graduates of the 61st OHP Academy will consist of three months of field training with a senior trooper.

Of the forty graduates, eight are military veterans, six with overseas combat experience. They come to the Patrol from all over the state with work experiences ranging from pipe fitting to landscaping. Their ages range from 23 to 35.

Commissioner Thompson challenged the graduating class to begin their public safety careers by getting involved with community service activities. The cadets chose to accept that challenge and are personally donating and collecting box fans for needy Oklahomans which will be collected after
graduation by KFOR’s Scott Hines and the Salvation Army.