Governor Sanders sworns in 18 recruits as Arkansas State Troopers

Eighteen recruits became Arkansas State Troopers on Monday April 29th during a graduation ceremony in the rotunda of the State Capitol.

After being tested and interviewed, this class of new Troopers was chosen from a pool of 230 applicants. They began their training program on February 18, 2024, at the State Police Training Academy in Little Rock. During the 10-week program, the recruits underwent a comprehensive and challenging curriculum designed to prepare them for the realities of being an Arkansas State Trooper. The program included approximately 710 hours of specialized instruction and practical training including criminal law, traffic control, accident investigation, firearms training, and defensive tactics.

The graduates were sworn under oath as Arkansas State Troopers by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who served as the keynote speaker. Colonel Mike Hagar, Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Public Safety, Major Roby Rhoads, Sergeant Chad Staley and Corporal Keon Thompson addressed the class during the ceremony. ASP senior command staff, troop and company commanders, the training section cadre, ASP Commissioners, and ASP Foundation members were among the audience.

Three graduates have been assigned to Troop G, which serves Howard, Hempstead, Sevier, Little River, Miller, Lafayette, Nevada and Columbia counties:

Troop G
Diondre Fuller, Little Rock
Micah Miller, Texarkana, TX
Chance Swafford, Texarkana

The new Troopers will be placed with a certified departmental Field Training Officer (FTO) upon reporting for duty at their respective troop headquarters. Each graduate will work in tandem with their respective FTO for a transitional period before being released to their assignment.