If I'm not mistaken they have already graduated. They may not have handed them the keys to their rides yet though
March 24, 2006
More troopers on the road
PEARL — Gov. Haley Barbour on Thursday pledged to put more Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol troopers on the road and raise trooper pay this year.
Barbour made the remarks at a graduation ceremony for 43 Highway Patrol cadets at the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers' Training Academy. The graduating class is the first infusion of new troopers for the Highway Patrol since December 2003.
Speaking to an overflow crowd, Barbour said it was right that so many should pay their respects to the graduates.
"I challenge you that we not stop today. That we support them next week and next year," he said. "We have to continue to support them."
Barbour said that support will include graduating another academy class this year and raising pay to bring troopers in line with their counterparts in neighboring states.
The Highway Patrol is authorized to have 650 troopers but currently has 551 active troopers. About 150 troopers will become eligible for retirement in the next two years.
"Clearly, there are not enough troopers on the road," Mississippi Department of Public Safety Commissioner George Phillips said.
Veteran troopers attending the graduation said they are spread thin, sometimes traveling across several counties to reach an accident scene.
"We're short in my county and we're not even getting anybody out of this school," said Trooper Jared George of Tishomingo County.
"Anything we can get will help," said Trooper Richard Vaughn, who is stationed in Tupelo.
Among the graduates of the 20-week course is Trooper Phillip Patrick, who joined three of his brothers in law enforcement, including one who is a military police officer stationed in Iraq. Patrick will be stationed in Clay County.
The class began with 79 cadets, nearly half of whom were unable to meet the academy's physical or academic standards.
"It was tough for the most part," Patrick said. But he said he had the support and good example of his older brothers to help him through.
Patrick's eldest brother, Canton Police Officer Jamie Patrick, said he advised his brother to stay focused during the rigorous training.
"I told him, 'Just keep praying and keep focused on your goal,'" he said. "I'm very proud of him."
It costs the state $5.1 million to put a class through training and out on the highway.
The Legislature must approve new classes.
Phillips said he has a commitment from Barbour and legislative leaders that another class will be formed this year.
The next class will be paid for from $58 million in federal money sent to the state to cover law enforcement costs from Hurricane Katrina, Phillips said.
He also said the governor and state legislators have committed to raising trooper pay, but he said he did not have any details on how much the increase will be.
Barbour spokesman Pete Smith said the governor is looking at several ways to fund an increase in trooper pay, but said he was not prepared to discuss any specific plan.
Currently, MHP troopers start at $27,300 per year, lower than any surrounding state.
The state House passed a bill Thursday giving state workers a minimum raise of $1,500 per year.
Should that measure be signed into law, Smith said troopers would be included
$27,300 to risk your life everyday 