The Kansas Highway Patrol began training the newest trooper recruit class in Salina earlier this month.

According to the agency, KHP Class #55 reported to the Training Academy on Wednesday, July 8, where they will be for 23 weeks of training. This class marks an effort to have at least one recruit class per year, addresses concerns over manpower on the state’s highways, and is the largest recruit class since 2010.

“Class 55’s recruits are vital to the continued support of the agency’s mission and goals. These recruits will help with the shortage of troopers that we face throughout the state. We look forward to watching as these recruits come together as a class and learn what it takes to be a Kansas state trooper,” said KHP Superintendent, Colonel Mark Bruce.

During the first week, recruits were stationed at the Academy 24 hours a day. They recently returned to the Training Academy in Salina after much needed long break. Throughout their training, recruits are required to stay at the training academy, except during their weekends off.

Throughout their time at the training academy, recruits will go through intense scenario-based, physical, and practical training. They will learn accident investigation techniques; testing of impaired drivers; Kansas laws and statutes; among many other things. At the end of their training, they will have practiced car stops; spent time at the firing range; learned defensive tactics; and other critical training components that they will need to incorporate as they are on their own out on the road. After graduation in December, the class members will go on to the next phase of their training on the roads with a field training officer.

The Patrol is in the middle of accepting applications for the next class, KHP Class #56, who will begin their training in July of 2016. The agency has increased their recruitment efforts with the goal of filling many vacancies across the state.