Georgia State Patrol Graduates its 105th Trooper School

(FORSYTH) – The Georgia State Patrol graduated its 105th Trooper School on Friday, March 15, at Post 50 – Capitol Hill in Atlanta. After 32 weeks of intense training, 18 new troopers will report to patrol posts throughout the state on Monday, April 15. Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan was the keynote speaker. Lt. Colonel Russell Powell issued the Oath of Office. Additionally, remarks were given by Colonel Mark W. McDonough, Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety and Capt. Joshua Lamb, Director of Training.
 
Trooper Cadets spend 20 weeks at the academy and 12 weeks in field training. The Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) requires that 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.
 
During remarks to his fellow class members, class president, Tpr. Garrett C. T. King, emphasized what it meant to be a trooper, who they were as individuals, and why they wanted to become troopers.
 
Four of the graduates received special honors for top performance in various fields of study. The honorees were:

• Firearms Proficiency – Tpr. Stanley L. McCoy, Jr.
• Driving Proficiency – Tpr. Ronaldo Kegel
• Highest Academic Average – Tpr. Samuel J. Shell
• Top Gun – Tpr. Garrett C. T. King

Tpr. Shell also received a $1,000 scholarship towards a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Reinhardt University for having the highest academic average in his class.
 
Additionally, the following graduates were recognized for their leadership: Tpr. Taylor Cooper, Vice President; Tpr. Alejandro Aponte-Gotay, Secretary/Treasurer; Tpr. William Sexton, IV, Chaplain; Tpr. Julian Mapes, Sergeant-At-Arms; Tpr. Kemonte Figures, Pennant Bearer; and Tpr. Christopher Rigby, Base Bearer.
 
Each commissioned trooper will report to his post on April 15, 2019. The new graduates are assigned to one of the 52 posts throughout the state.
 

Individual trooper photos are available to the media via email request to [email protected].

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