STATE POLICE TRAINING ACADEMY GIVE STUDENTS A GLIMPSE INTO THE WORLD OF BEING A TROOPER
Friday, Jun 19, 2009
(LITTLE ROCK) Twenty-five high school students are one step closer to fulfilling their dreams and aspirations of someday possibly wearing the uniform of the Arkansas State Police.
The students completed a one-week training regimen and graduated today from the Arkansas State Police Preparatory Trooper Academy. The group represents the fifth class to graduate in as many years.
Colonel Winford E. Phillips, Director of the Arkansas State Police addressed the class today in ceremonies at State Police Headquarters and presented each student with their graduation certificate.
The students participated in a one-week abbreviated course of studies and practical training exercises similar to those required of Arkansas State Police Recruits. The preparatory academy grew out of an idea to offer a public service education project designed to offer high school students interested in law enforcement careers the opportunity to experience a variety of job assignments associated with the Arkansas State Police.
While the program has always been about helping high school students explore the world of law enforcement and consider career opportunities that interested them, we had hopes this would become a recruiting tool that would lead to future troopers, said Major Kathy Sparks, commander of the Arkansas State Police Administrative Services Division.
This year it was particularly rewarding when a student from our first class in 2005 applied to become a trooper by seeking to enroll in our 2009 troop school scheduled for later this summer, Major Sparks said.
Classes in traffic law, highway crash investigations, crime scene investigations, law enforcement ethics, patrol procedures, emergency vehicle driver training, and simulated firearms exercises were among the specialized programs presented to the students during the week-long preparatory academy.
The students were housed in the State Police Training Academy barracks located in southwest Little Rock where they also received instruction in drill and ceremony procedures and participated in daily physical agility training.
The graduates of the 2009 Preparatory Trooper Academy are:
Matthew Adams, Walnut Ridge, Black Rock High School
Kayla Alderman, Midway, Mountain Home High School
Amanda Barker, McCrory, McCrory High School
Kerry Boles, Ash Flat, Cordova (Tennessee) High School
James Booth, Little Rock, J. A. Fair High School
Bailee Christensen, Cabot, Cabot High School
Curt Cooper, Newport, Tuckerman High School
Misty Cox, Mountain Pine, Mountain Pine High School
Blake Davis, Maynard, Maynard High School
Craig Foreman, Mountain Home, Mountain Home High School
Dominic Harper, Little Rock, Parkview Arts & Magnet High School
Dillon Haynes, Cabot, Cabot High School
Brittany Johnson, North Little Rock, North Little Rock High School (East)
Michael Kennedy, Benton, Benton High School
Cody Looper, Benton, Benton High School
Clint McKewen, Ethel, DeWitt High School
Courtney Morrison, Hot Springs, Lakeside High School
Stephen Osborne, Cabot, Cabot High School
Bonita Reddix, North Little Rock, North Little Rock High School (West)
Antonio Ruiz, Mabelvale, J. A. Fair High School
Jacob Schroeder, Cabot, Cabot High School
Marcus Simpson, Newport, Newport High School
Kody Smith, Booneville, Booneville High School
Christopher Sparks, Arkadelphia, Arkadelphia High School
Obtavious Williams, Mabelvale, Mills High School
Ten graduates were also recognized for competition in the categories of physical fitness, firearms skills, and most improved student. The awards were presented to:
PHYSICAL FITNESS
3rd place (three students with the same scores) James Booth, Blake Davis and Obtavious Williams.
2nd place (two students with the same scores) Craig Foreman and Curt Cooper.
1st place Marcus Simpson
FIREARMS TRAINING
3rd place Stephen Osborne
2nd place Blake Davis
1st place Dillon Haynes
MOST IMPROVED STUDENT
Antonio Ruiz
