Last week, the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) welcomed 43 new Florida State Troopers who graduated from the 155th Basic Recruit Class (BRC). Guest speaker, Attorney General James Uthmeier, delivered the opening remarks at the ceremony.

Graduates from the 155th BRC have undergone a rigorous 29 weeks of training, equivalent to more than 1000 hours. This comprehensive training began on January 12, 2026, and it included high liability classes, defensive tactics, firearms, vehicle operations, and first aid, ensuring that our new troopers are well-prepared for the challenges they will face in their duties.

Four of the recruits are military veterans, bringing prior service experience from the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Army, and the U.S. Army National Guard. Additionally, four recruits relocated from out of state, representing Georgia, California, Missouri, and Maryland.

“It’s exciting to welcome Basic Recruit Class 155 into the ranks of Florida’s finest,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “The Florida Highway Patrol represents one of the most prestigious and effective law enforcement agencies in the country, and I have no doubt that these new recruits will live up to that expectation. The demands will be tough and the callings many, but their steadfast commitment to public safety will continue to make Florida the safest state to raise a family.”  “Each of these graduates have proven their commitment to protecting and serving the people of Florida through the rigorous training they completed at the FHP Academy, and we are proud to welcome them as they join Florida State Troopers in carrying forward the highest standards of professionalism and service,” said FLHSMV Executive Director Dave Kerner. “Their training, discipline, and integrity have prepared them well for the responsibilities ahead, and I am confident in the contributions they will make to the safety of our highways and communities.”  “Today marks an important moment for these new State Troopers as they join a proud tradition of courtesy, service, and protection,” said FHP Colonel Gary Howze. “Their dedication throughout training reflects the values that define our agency, and I look forward to seeing their impact as they serve and protect communities across our state. Each of them has earned their place and shown they are ready to uphold the responsibilities entrusted to a Florida State Trooper.”  These graduates reflect the highest caliber of recruits in the state, each having sworn an oath to protect and serve the people of Florida with unwavering courtesy, service, and protection. They have shown exceptional dedication, combining their prior military or law enforcement experience with the comprehensive training received at the FHP Academy.  Guided by a strong commitment to excellence and integrity, these new Troopers are fully prepared to uphold the values of justice and community safety as they begin their careers with the Florida Highway Patrol.  Upon reporting to their duty stations, the new troopers will be placed with a certified Field Training Officer (FTO). Troopers will work in tandem with their FTO for 10 to 14 weeks prior to being released to solo duty.

July 10, 2026.

After completing hundreds of hours of specialized training, six new canine teams have officially joined the California Highway Patrol (CHP). The Department recognized the teams during a graduation ceremony today in West Sacramento, where they prepared to begin serving communities across California.

“These canine teams represent the next generation of the CHP’s specialized public safety resources,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “While each handler brings years of experience, today marks the start of new partnerships built on trust, discipline and rigorous training. Together, these teams will serve communities across California with skill, professionalism and unwavering dedication.”

Ready to Answer the Call

The graduating class includes two Belgian Malinois, two Dutch Shepherds, one German Shepherd and, for the first time in CHP history, one Springer Spaniel.

The class consists of:

Three Patrol and Narcotics Detection Canine (PNDC) teams

One Patrol and Explosives Detection Canine (PEDC) team

One Explosives Detection Canine (EDC) team

One Narcotics Detection Canine (NDC) team

Each handler is an experienced CHP officer with three to 20 years of service. Depending on their assignment, the teams completed between 240 and 600 hours of specialized training together to build the skills and trust needed for their mission.

Sniffing Out Crime

CHP canine teams play a critical role in combating drug trafficking and illegal firearms and explosives across California.

In 2025, CHP narcotics-detection canine teams conducted nearly 1,700 enforcement searches, resulting in the seizure of more than 21,170 pounds of illegal narcotics—including marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl and heroin—and more than $12.2 million in illicit currency.

During the same period, CHP patrol explosives-detection canine teams conducted more than 7,000 explosives-detection searches, resulting in the seizure of ammunition, rifles, shotguns, handguns and improvised explosive devices.

“The results speak for themselves,” Commissioner Duryee added. “Our canine teams help remove dangerous drugs, illegal weapons and explosives from California’s communities every day. Their specialized capabilities enhance officer safety and provide an invaluable tool for protecting the public.”

Growing the Pack

After today’s graduation, CHP has a total of 54 canine teams deployed across the state, including:

39 Patrol and Narcotics Detection Canine teams

Eight Patrol and Explosives Detection Canine teams

Two Narcotics Detection Canine teams

Five Explosives Detection Canine teams

Illinois State Trooper Kevin Howell has spent his career serving and protecting others. Since joining the Illinois State Police in 2007, he has dedicated his life to helping his community and supporting his fellow officers.

Today, Kevin Howell's journey battling head and neck cancer is a testament to resilience, faith, and unwavering dedication to his family, career, and fellow law enforcement officers.

An Ongoing Battle Against Cancer

Kevin was first diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue in November 2016. Despite having no history of tobacco use and no family history of cancer, he underwent surgery and fought his way back to recovery.

When cancer returned in 2020, Kevin faced it head-on once again. After another surgery and recovery period, he remained cancer-free for four years.

In late 2024, cancer returned for a third time. Then, in 2025, doctors discovered another aggressive tumor that required extensive surgery, removing 51 lymph nodes, three salivary glands, and one jugular vein.

Most people would have stepped away from work to focus solely on recovery. Kevin returned to work just days later.

Courage Through Every Challenge

Kevin's fight continued with chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation treatments, and participation in a clinical trial. The treatments were physically devastating, causing significant weight loss and difficult side effects.

Even as he endured surgeries, treatments, and setbacks, Kevin remained committed to serving others. Over the past year, he has missed only 20 days of work while continuing to represent approximately 3,400 active and retired members as President of Illinois State Police Troopers Lodge 41.

His determination, faith, and commitment to others have never wavered.

Faith, Family, and Hope

Throughout this journey, Kevin has leaned on his faith, the support of his wife Kathleen and their four children, and the encouragement of the law enforcement community he proudly serves.

While continuing to explore new treatment options and clinical trials, Kevin and his family are also facing significant medical and travel expenses associated with specialized care.

How You Can Help

Kevin has spent his life protecting others. Now he needs our support.

We invite you to stand with Kevin and his family. Your donation can help ease the financial burden of ongoing treatments and allow Kevin to focus on what matters most: his health, his family, and his fight against cancer.

To donate, visit https://gofund.me/f258455ec

The state trooper community stands with Trooper Howell during his fight. Together, we can stand beside Kevin and remind him that he is not fighting this battle alone.

Jul 7, 2026

A West Virginia State Police trooper took on a different type of assignment over the weekend.

Brittany Ritchie wrote on Facebook about how on Saturday night, she was pulled over in Weston by Trooper Watson for speeding. The reason why she was speeding: she was in labor and was trying to get to the hospital.

Once Trooper Watson learned this, he replied with “WHATTT!!!??? Let’s get you there” and helped escort her for roughly 12 miles to the hospital, Ritchie said.

The baby, named Zillah, was born a short time later, and Trooper Watson even got to hold her.