Montana

10 troopers graduate from Montana Highway Patrol Advanced Academy

Posted: Aug 17, 2012 7:05 PM by Lindsey Gordon - MTN News

Ten troopers graduated from the Montana Highway Patrol Advanced Academy in Helena on Friday.

The Troopers had their seven-point badges pinned by their family members and then they were sworn in.

MT Attorney General Steve Bullock spoke about the need for more law enforcement in the eastern side of the state, due to the increased demands on law enforcement in areas affected by the Bakken oil boom.

Seven of the graduating troopers will serve their initial assignments in Montana's eastern and northern counties in response to those demands.

Bullock noted, "We recognize that the oil boom in eastern Montana and the influx of people and traffic it is bringing into the region are stretching local law enforcement agencies to capacity, so we are shifting resources to help keep people safe in their communities and on the roads. This graduating class will help get that done."

MHP Patrol Colonel Mike Tooley explained, "One of our goals within the Patrol has been to reduce the amount of time people have to wait when we get a call for service. With the surge of businesses and population coming into eastern Montana, seven members of this graduating class have been assigned to communities in that region so we can reduce wait times and do more to meet the growing public safety challenges in this area."

The group began its training in April 2012 and, for entry-level applicants, totaled 20 weeks in all.

Applicants who were already sworn officers began on June 25, 2012, and had eight weeks of advanced traffic enforcement training.

Following Friday's swearing-in ceremony, the new troopers will participate in a nine-week field training program before assuming their initial station assignments.

Here is the list of the graduates:

Name, City From: Initial Station Assignment

Tristan Brown from Craigsville, WV: Glendive

Luke Burson from Spokane, WA: Culbertson

Justin Ewing from Boise, ID: Terry

Geoff Groshelle from Great Falls: Havre

Steven Nard from Torrington, WY: Plentywood

Fiafia Seau from Great Falls: Havre

Jerod Slaybaugh from Whitefish: Wolf Point

Eric Thoreson from Big Sky: Glendive

Anthony Jenson from Victor: Wolf Point

Shawn Silvan from Rio Rancho, NM: Superior