New officers assigned to Versailles Post
Wanda English Burnett - Editor

On Monday, October 25, five new officers reported for duty at the Indiana State Police Post, Versailles. These new faces will be seen in and around the Ripley County area, and after three months of "intensive" training with a Field Training Officer will begin solo patrol duties, according to information from Lt. Marty D. McKinney, Commander of the Versailles Post.

The new troopers include: Barry K. Bischoff, Brookville; David M. Ellis, Middletown; Jeremy C. Franklin, Liberty; Matthew J. Loyd, Greensburg; and Brian K. Potts, Milan.

The five new troopers were among the 42 graduates of the 64th Indiana State Police Academy, with graduation ceremonies taking place on October 22, at the Indiana Statehouse Rotunda in Indianapolis.

According to information from Lt. McKinney, the newest officers at Versailles were required to undergo intensive training to become part of "Indiana's Finest". Before they entered the academy, they had to pass a written examination, oral interview, polygraph test, background investigation, physical ability test, and medical and psychological evaluations.

The press release noted that Indiana State Police candidates are "required to be U.S. citizens and at least 21 years old and no older than 34 years old upon graduation."

Education requires recruits to complete at least 60 hours or 90 quarter hours of college credit with at least a 2.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale; or have at least three years full-time law enforcement experience, having graduated from a state accredited police academy. Those with at least two years of active military duty with an honorable discharge or those currently serving at the rank of E-4 (or its equivalent) or above in any United States military service, would also be accepted.

The new troops have received approximately 840 hours of structured training in law enforcement tech
niques since May 24. They have 80 hours of criminal law instruction, 50 hours of vehicle operations training, 30 hours of psychology and 40 hours of Survival Spanish. These men have also developed skills in criminal investigation, vehicle crash investigation and impaired driver prevention
and detection.

Those who might be interested in a career with the Indiana State Police can call the Versailles District at 1-800-566-6704, the Indiana State Police Recruiting Section at 1-800-622-8277 or visit the ISP website at www.state.in.us/isp.

MARY MARGARET MOORHEAD PHOTO

Five Indiana State Policemen began their 14-week field training experience on Monday, October 25, at the Versailles Post. From left to right: Barry Bischoff, Brookville; Matt Loyd, Greensburg; Jeremy Franklin, Liberty; David Ellis, Middletown; and Brian Potts, Elrod, listen to instructor Noel W. Houze, Jr. describe the events of their training which will be completed by January 31, 2005. The five have just completed 22 weeks of academy training at Plainfield and were assigned to the Versailles Post.