Hartwell, Toccoa GSP Posts Get New Trooper School Graduates

The Georgia State Patrol Hartwell Post is getting a new trooper.

Last Friday, the Georgia State Patrol (GSP) graduated its 114th Trooper School class at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center (GPSTC) in Forsyth.

After 32 weeks of intense training, 37 new Troopers will report to one of 52 patrol posts around the state.

William Smith IV from Lamar County in Middle Georgia has been assigned to Hartwell Post 52.

Additionally, Devin Hunter from Stephens County has been assigned to the Toccoa Post 7.

Trooper Cadets spend 20 weeks at the academy and 12 weeks training in the field.

The Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) requires all peace officers to receive a minimum of 408 hours of Basic Mandate Training.

After completing Trooper School, the graduates have received more than 1,400 hours of training including driving, defensive tactics, vehicle stops, Spanish, criminal law and criminal procedure, firearms, accident investigation, and various other trainings.

Governor Brian Kemp delivered the graduation address and gave the Oath of Office.

Additional remarks were provided by Lt. Colonel Billy Hitchens, Deputy Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety (DPS), and Captain Craig Singletary, Director of Training.