SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois State Police officials are welcoming 42 new troopers, including more than a dozen who are veterans.
The new officers took their oaths and received their Illinois State Police stars during a graduation ceremony Friday in Springfield.
According to a news release, the new troopers completed 25 weeks of physical and classroom instruction. They now are required to participate in a 14-week field training program.
The cadet class is the second under newly passed legislation that allows veterans who have earned an Afghan or Iraqi campaign medal to apply even if they don’t have a college degree. Friday’s graduates included 14 veterans; 10 were hired under the new legislation.
The new troopers will be assigned throughout the state.
Another cadet class is scheduled to begin in June.
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