Georgia State Patrol Graduates its 108th Trooper School

(ATLANTA) – The Georgia State Patrol graduated its 108th Trooper School on Thursday, May 14, at the headquarters of the Georgia Department of Public Safety in Atlanta.  After 32 weeks of intense training, 31 new troopers will report to one of the 52 patrol posts throughout the state.  Instead of the traditional graduation, troopers received their patrol vehicles and were issued the Oath of Office by Governor Brian P. Kemp.  

Trooper Cadets spend 20 weeks at the academy and 12 weeks in field training.  The Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) requires all peace officers receive a minimum of 400 hours of Basic Mandate Training.  At the completion of Trooper School, these newly graduated trooper cadets received over 1,500 hours of training, including driving, defensive tactics, vehicle stops, Spanish, criminal law and criminal procedure, firearms, accident investigation, and various other training.

The following graduates were recognized for their leadership: Trooper Zachary Pruitt, President; Trooper Shawn Tarpley, Vice President; Trooper Mubin Akhawala, Secretary/Treasurer; Trooper Matthew Edwards, Chaplain; Trooper Malcolm Lemons, Sergeant-at-Arms; and Trooper Kenneth Schlegel, Pennant Bearer, and Trooper Cole Spires; Pennant Base Bearer.

Each commissioned trooper will report to the following assigned post: