Wisconsin State Patrol welcomes new officers at graduation ceremony

The Wisconsin State Patrol’s 68^th Recruit Class received their badges Thursday at a graduation ceremony in Wisconsin Dells. The new troopers will be assigned to serve communities across Wisconsin.

At the ceremony, Governor Tony Evers thanked the new officers for choosing to dedicate their careers to public service.

“Committing to a life in law enforcement is a big sacrifice, but it will also open the door to an incredibly rewarding career in public service,” Gov. Evers said. “From helping a stranded driver with a flat tire to saving lives, always remember that the work you do matters in the lives of those that you serve.”

The new officers are an essential part of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s law enforcement division. State Patrol officers serve in a variety of roles, including enforcement officers; inspectors; crash reconstruction experts; airplane and drone pilots; and dignitary protection, K-9 and motorcycle officers.

“State Patrol officers have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on our most difficult challenges,” WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson said. “The new troopers’ work will help create safer communities. Every traffic stop, emergency response, inspection of a commercial motor vehicle, or casual interaction with the public, has the potential to save lives and bring change by connecting with the people of Wisconsin and helping them understand their role in transportation safety.”

The graduation ceremony was an opportunity to recognize the 26 weeks of training required to become a State Patrol officer. The cadets completed classroom and scenario courses at the Wisconsin State Patrol Academy at Fort McCoy to meet state law enforcement training standards.

“In the past six months, the Recruit Class has proven they have what it takes to join our premier public safety agency. Each new officer was selected for this important role because they will uphold our core values when out promoting public safety,” State Patrol Superintendent Tim Carnahan said. “The new officers have made a pledge to always protect our communities and enforce our state laws; to lead with professionalism and compassion every day, both on and off duty.”

The new troopers, listed below, will receive 12 additional weeks of on-the-job field training at their assigned posts in State Patrol’s five regions throughout Wisconsin. Photos will be available for download here after the ceremony. Watch the full ceremony online.

The Wisconsin State Patrol is accepting applications for the next recruit class until July 16. Find more information on the 69^th Recruit Class hiring process online. Training begins in January 2024.

NAME	HOMETOWN	ASSIGNMENT
Coltan Chilson	Mound, MN	Southwest Region – DeForest Post
Matthew Corona	West Bend, WI	Southeast Region – Waukesha Post
Christopher Czarnik	Menasha, WI	Southwest Region – Tomah Post
Samuel Footer	Tomah, WI	Southwest Region – Tomah Post
Cole Glassford	Oshkosh, WI	Southwest Region – DeForest Post
James Henkel	Neenah, WI	Southeast Region – Waukesha Post
Christian Jensen	Burlington, WI	Northeast Region – Fond du Lac Post
Austin Landowski	Ringle, WI	Northeast Region – Fond du Lac Post
Carter Mischka	Green Bay, WI	Northeast Region – Fond du Lac Post
Redouan Oubouha	Little Chute, WI	Southeast Region – Waukesha Post
Matthew Papendorf	Clintonville, WI	Southeast Region – Waukesha Post
Cainan Robinson	Gladstone, MI	Southwest Region – DeForest Post
Andrew Spence	Gurnee, IL	Southeast Region – Waukesha Post
Zachary Westphal	West Fargo, ND	Southwest Region – DeForest Post
Chang Yang	Schofield, WI	Southwest Region – Tomah Post
Ahmed Yassen Abdealiim Ali	Eau Claire, WI	Southwest Region – Tomah Post
Gregory Zuehlke	Watertown, WI	Southeast Region – Waukesha Post

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.