SC Highway Patrol graduates 42 New Troopers

The South Carolina Highway Patrol announces the graduation of 42 troopers from South Carolina Highway Patrol Basic Class 96. This brings the total number of troopers in South Carolina to 768. The troopers began training in January. They graduated from the Criminal Justice Academy on May 8 and continued for specialized training from the Patrol in all areas of law enforcement, including DUI detection, traffic laws, collision investigation and the use of firearms. They have trained for 21 weeks and will complete another 400 hours of field training upon graduation. The Highway Patrol received 1,777 applications and 910 applicants were referred for processing for SCHP Basic 96. “Troopers from this class will head to communities all over the State of South Carolina and will be welcomed with open arms as they work to make our roadways and communities safer,” said SCDPS Director Leroy Smith. “We are thankful for their commitment to this noble and selfless calling of public service.” The Highway Patrol presents distinguished awards to outstanding troopers from each class. The winners from the 96th class include Andrew Blair of Greenville won the Colonel P.F. Thompson Outstanding Achievement Award for the trooper who displays the character and dedication symbolic of former Highway Patrol Colonel P.F. Thompson, the longest serving Patrol commander. Christopher Cobb of Anderson won the Captain Cecil Dilworth Marksmanship Award, presented to the trooper who had the best marksmanship during firearms training.