Recruits Begin Academy | Video

Retha Colclasure | 1/15/2013

Highway Patrol troopers made more than 1,900 DUI arrests and 816 drug-related arrests last year. They`re busy all across the state, working nearly 17,000 hours of overtime in 2012. That increased enforcement helps keep the state`s roads as safe as possible. Eight new troopers will soon be playing their part in that effort.

The Highway Patrol recruits started the 21 week long law enforcement training academy last week. Over the next few months they`ll all learn the ins and outs of their job.

These eight men and women are learning when it`s legal to use deadly force and when it isn`t. That`s just one of the many topics they`ll study as part of the 21 week long law enforcement training academy.

"Criminal law, traffic law, defensive tactics training, weapons training, vehicle training," said Sgt. Steve Johnson.

It`s an intense course that begins on some mornings at 5:30. But it`s a course that these recruits all want to be a part of.

"Develop my career. What I wanted to do. Nice to be here and feel like I`m succeeding in what I`m doing," said recruit Chelsey Hagel.

Hagel worked at a correctional center for the past two years. But she says she`s always wanted to be on the other side of the wall, arresting those who eventually end up in jail. "Working in jail, I was able to hold those people accountable for their actions. Being out on the street I`d be able to apprehend them."

Half of these recruits are from North Dakota. The rest come from as far away as Texas. All are needed.

"We get calls, comments from troopers all over the state, they need some help, they`re getting run down," Johnson said.

Once these troopers finish the academy, they`ll do another eight weeks of field training before they`re out patrolling on their own.

Seven of the eight new recruits will be working in western North Dakota. Hagel will work in Watford City. Like anyone else trying to find a place to live while working in the oil patch, these recruits are already searching for housing.

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