23 OSP Recruits Graduate From Advanced Training Academy

This group of 20 men and 3 women recruit troopers will return to their assigned OSP worksites and continue training under the guidance of a field training trooper

Photo courtesy: Oregon State Police

(SALEM, Ore.) - Governor Ted Kulongoski joined Oregon State Police Superintendent Timothy McLain in recognizing 23 Oregon State Police recruit troopers during their graduation Friday. It was held at 3:00 PM at the Department's Advanced Recruit Training Academy at the Oregon Public Safety Academy.

OSP recruit troopers are required to receive 24 weeks of intensive training, including the 16-week Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) with other agency recruits and eight weeks of pre- and advanced-training unique to the requirements of the OSP.

Upon graduation from the advanced training academy, this group of 20 men and 3 women recruit troopers will return to their assigned OSP worksites and continue training under the guidance of a field training trooper before being released on solo patrol.

"I want to congratulate all of the trooper graduates and their families today. Their commitment to the State of Oregon will mean safer roads and communities all across Oregon and their dedication to service should be commended," said Governor Kulongoski.

Eighteen Patrol Services Division and five Fish & Wildlife (F&W) Division recruit troopers are assigned to these respective Oregon State Police worksites:

Albany

* Howard Greer

* Heather Vanmeter (F&W)

Astoria

* James O'Connor (F&W)

* Dennis Thomas

Banks

* Michael Vanrenterghem

Central Point

* Damion Hillyer

* Heather West

* Gregor Smyth

Coos Bay

* Joshua Young

Gold Beach

* Clifford Barden (F&W)

Klamath Falls

* Aaron Boyce

La Grande

* Grant Jackson

Newport

* Ian McKay

Pendleton

* Daniel Routt

Portland

* Dirk Anderson (F&W)

* Jose Cortez

Oregon State University

* Kristina Manley

Roseburg

* Aaron Baimbridge (F&W)

* Daniel Wells

* Bradley Zuver

Salem

* Scott Show

* Michael Rockwell

Springfield

* Don Jeter Jr.

According to the OSP Training Division, prior to this graduation there were 46 recruit troopers involved in different training phases at the academy. Including the 23 recruit troopers graduating from the Advanced Recruit Training Academy, twelve recruit troopers are in the current DPSST's 16-week training academy and eleven others are just starting pre-DPSST training after being sworn in Monday by Superintendent McLain.

The support of Governor Kulongoski and legislative leadership has provided funding during the 2007 and recently completed 2008 legislative sessions for 139 new trooper positions for the Patrol Services Division, Fish & Wildlife Division, and Criminal Investigations Division. These graduating recruit troopers were hired as part an aggressive recruitment and training plan to fill current and newly authorized future trooper positions.

One of the new recruitment changes is a first-time Career Officer Lateral Entry Employment Program (COLEEP) to accept qualified law enforcement employees from other agencies who have a minimum of three years of full-time job experience as a sworn, paid law enforcement officer within the past six years. Of the 23 graduating advanced academy recruit troopers, ten are from the first COLEEP trooper class.

Other changes made by OSP to help meet recruitment goals without reducing standards of excellence include:

* A completely re-tooled recruitment website at www.OSPTrooper.com specifically designed to provide important information to applicants;

* The ability to fill out an application online and immediately email it to OSP;

* Additional Entry Level Testing dates to provide more opportunities in streamlining the testing process; and,

* New patrol vehicles with rear bumper decals reading: "BE A TROOPER www.OSPTrooper.com."

On March 1st and 2nd, 127 prospective applicants showed up for Entry Level Testing at West Albany High School. At the end of the weekend testing, 72 applicants passed and will proceed to the next phase of the application process. Upcoming testing dates are:

• May 3rd 2008 at West Albany High School
• June 21st 2008 at Jefferson High School in Jefferson
• July 12th 2008 at Sunridge Middle School in Pendleton
• July 19th 2008 at Crater High School in Central Point

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Source: Oregon State Police news release. For more information visit their website: oregon.gov/OSP