Columbia, South Carolina (Queen City News) — The South Carolina Highway Patrol welcomed 27 new troopers after a graduation ceremony on Friday.
South Carolina Secretary of State Mark Hammond encouraged and addressed the new graduates as they began their careers with the Highway Patrol. Class 129 includes 13 pre-certified officers and 14 newcomers to the law enforcement profession. The addition of this graduating class raises the total number of state troopers to 793.
“Today is a special day where we welcome this group of professional men and women as they join not just the Highway Patrol, but the Department of Public Safety family,” said Robert Woods, Jr., director of the SCDPS. “Remember that, while this job will demand a lot of you, it will also be extremely rewarding. Every day, your service protects thousands of people who live and travel in South Carolina.
Troopers are assigned to areas based on a variety of factors, including population density, call volume, and the number of licensed drivers/registered vehicles in the area.
The previous SCHP graduation occurred in April, when 20 new troopers joined the force.
