MEDIA ADVISORY: March 17, 2008
FROM: The Kansas Highway Patrol
CONTACT: TechTRP Edna Buttler (785)296-6800
Cait Purinton-Day (785) 296-6800
New Troopers to Receive Patrol Vehicles
News Conference and Photo Opportunities
The Kansas Highway Patrol's 19 newest troopers will receive their patrol vehicles en masse Friday, March 21, 2008, at the Patrol's fleet facility at 930 N.E. Strait Avenue in Topeka. Patrol Superintendent Colonel Terry Maple will speak briefly at a news conference scheduled for 11:00 a.m.
At the news conference, Colonel Maple will speak with the troopers about their responsibilities as law enforcement officers to protect and serve the public through enforcement and education of Kansas' laws. He also will discuss the importance of providing law enforcement officers with quality vehicles and other equipment to help ensure their safety and the safety of the public.
The news conference will be a great photo opportunity as the troopers receive their vehicles, with many of the troopers accompanied by their field training officers. Colonel Maple will inspect the troopers' vehicles before they leave the fleet facility to return to their assigned duty stations throughout Kansas.
The new troopers graduated from the Kansas Highway Patrol Training Academy on November 29, 2007, after completing 22 weeks of rigorous training. Since graduation, the troopers have been paired with veteran troopers to complete the field training portion of their KHP training. The troopers now will patrol the state's roadways alone in their newly-issued vehicle.