April 25, 2024
Eighteen recruits became Arkansas State Troopers tonight 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.
Special recognition and awards were presented to the recruits who attained the highest scores within the respective training categories listed as follows:
Academics:
1. Collier Wright
2. Charles Greeno
3. David Calvert
Physical Fitness:
1. Micah Miller
2. Chance Swafford
3. Eric Hoegh
Firearms:
1. Collier Wright
2. Chance Swafford
3. Micah Miller
Emergency Vehicle Operator Course (EVOC):
1. Micah Miller
2. Jeremy Elliott
3. Collier Wright
The recruit graduates, their hometown, and their first post assignments are listed as follows:
Troop A
David Calvert, North Little Rock
Chanceler Fortune, Kansas City, KS
Charles Greeno, Malvern
Chase Landry, Conway
Troop C
Teddy Henderson, Paragould
Brian Merrill, Jonesboro
Tanner Seal, Jonesboro
Troop D
Dillon Pigue, Harrisburg
Collier Wright, Marion
Troop G
Diondre Fuller, Little Rock
Micah Miller, Texarkana, TX
Chance Swafford, Texarkana
Troop H
Jeremy Elliott, Booneville
Eric Hoegh – 2024-A Class Leader, Van Buren
Troop K
Trey McAnear, Arkadelphia
Christian Ramirez, Hot Springs
Kristopher Wootten, Hot Springs
Troop L
James Jones, Frierson, LA
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.