Five new troopers reported for duty today at the Indiana State Police Post in Lowell. They are five of 47 new troopers reporting to their districts of assignment following graduation from the 73rd Indiana State Police Recruit Academy which took place on Friday, May 1st.
On November 10, 2013 these five men began 25 weeks of intense training at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in Plainfield. During the training period the recruits received approximately 600 hours of classroom instructions as well as nearly 300 hours of hands-on practical and scenario based training exercises.
Governor Mike Pence and Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas G. Carter recognized the accomplishments of the class and following the keynote address by Governor Pence, Chief Justice of the Indiana Supreme Court, the Honorable Brent E. Dickson administered the oath of office to the graduates.
Lowell’s newest troopers are: Probationary Trooper Paul Arnold, 31 a native of Lake Station and a graduate of River Forest High School. Following high school, Arnold attended Wabash College in Crawfordsville where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts. Arnold was a Porter County Sheriff’s Deputy for three years. Arnold resides in Porter County with his wife. Probationary Trooper Justin A. Hansen, 23 a native of Boone Grove and a graduate of Boone Grove High School. Following high school, Hansen attended the University of Southern Indiana and Ivy Tech and studied Criminal Justice. He is an active member of the National Guard since 2009 with the current rank of Sergeant. Hansen resides in Porter County. Probationary Trooper Justin R. Heflin, 28 a native of Michigan City and a graduate of Michigan City High School. He attended Ivy Tech studying Applied Sciences and was a Union Electrician apprentice. Heflin served 8 years active duty with the United States Marine Corp. He resides in LaPorte County with his family. Probationary Trooper Carson House, 23 a native of Auburn and a graduate of Lakewood Park Christian School in Auburn, Indiana. Following high school, House attended Southern Indiana University in Evansville earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology. House was a social worker before being accepted to the 73rd Indiana State Police Recruit Academy. He resides in Porter County. Probationary Trooper William J. Stancy, 24 a native of Saint John and a graduate of Lake Central High School. Following high school, Stancy attended Purdue University in Lafayette where he obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts. He is an active member of the National Guard since 2008 with the current rank of First Lieutenant. Stancy resides in Porter County with his wife.
The new troopers will put their recruit academy training to work in the field as they begin 12 weeks of field training where they will be paired with experienced troopers specially trained to serve as Field Training Officers. Upon successful completion of the field training program, they will be issued their own police cars and begin solo patrol Responsibilities.