State highway patrol graduates new troopers
The Florida Highway Patrol recently graduated 43 new state troopers from the FHP’s Law Enforcement Training Academy at the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center. The 117th Basic Recruit Class graduation ceremony marks the conclusion of an intensive 27-week training period that prepares them for a career as a Florida State Trooper and instills the FHP’s core values of service, courtesy and protection.
“It is an honor to welcome our newest recruit class to the ranks,” said Director of the Florida Highway Patrol, Colonel John Czernis. “Becoming a state trooper means taking on a great amount of responsibility and carrying on a 70-year tradition of safeguarding motorists on Florida highways. We are proud of our history, and we are pleased to have new troopers to carry on FHP’s commitment toward a safer Florida. They will be a valuable addition to our future efforts to save lives.”
Electra Theodorides-Bustle, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles stated, “We are proud that these graduates have chosen the honorable career of a Florida State Trooper. As troopers, they will have the opportunity to protect our state and save lives. We look forward to getting these troopers out on our roads to further the mission of the Department of keeping our highways safe and secure.”
The graduates and guests welcomed long-time supporter of the FHP, State Rep. Marti Coley, who addressed the class. Coley’s late husband, State Rep. David Coley, was a lieutenant colonel in the Florida Highway Patrol Auxiliary.
During the commencement ceremony, the FHP honored Recruit Lisa Barnett with the Executive Director’s award for achieving the highest grade point average at the Academy. The Patrol presented the Director’s award, honoring the recruit demonstrating extraordinary courtesy and dedication during the training, to Recruit Trevor Kempy.
Florida’s newest state troopers from the 117th class will report for duty by July 31, 2009. The Florida Highway Patrol continues its recruitment efforts for the 118th Recruit Class scheduled to begin on Aug. 9, 2009. For additional information, please visit the Web site at www.flhsmv.gov/fhp or contact our Recruitment Office at 850-617-2307.