CLASS PRESIDENT TO BEGIN TOUR OF DUTY NOT AS TROOPER, BUT AS SOLDIER
(Sykesville, MD) – Governor Martin O’Malley joined Colonel Terrence Sheridan today as they welcomed more than fifty new troopers to the ranks of the Maryland State Police.
After 26 weeks of rigorous academic and physical training in the Maryland State Police Academy, 51 new troopers marched across the stage to accept their diploma from Governor O’Malley and their new gold badge from Colonel Sheridan. Hundreds of family members, friends, and their new fellow troopers witnessed the graduation of the 135th Trooper Candidate Class at Century High School in Sykesville.
“There is no profession like law enforcement more critical to maintaining the quality of life and the freedoms that we enjoy,” Governor O’Malley said. “The most important responsibility we have in government is the protection of public safety. We are proud to have the Maryland state troopers as our partners in accomplishing that goal. Our mission is an important one and we intend to stick to it.”
While thanking Governor O’Malley for the seven classes of new troopers that have graduated and the law enforcement technological advances made during his administration, Colonel Sheridan reminded the new troopers that the human factor is still an important part of good law enforcement. “Providing public safety services cannot be left up to technology,” Colonel Sheridan said. “There still has to be that human element of competent men and women who interact with professionalism and compassion with our citizens who need their help. We have those kinds of people throughout the Maryland State Police.”
The 49 men and two women in the 135th Trooper Candidate Class elected Trooper Nathan Steelman as their class president. Trooper Steelman addressed his classmates during the graduation ceremony, but that will be one of the only duties he will be performing in his new job for awhile.
Trooper Steelman, from Washington County, is also an E-5 sergeant in the United States Army Reserve. He served a 15-month tour of duty in Baghdad in 2006-2007. Trooper Steelman has been redeployed and will soon begin training for a tour in Afghanistan to begin later this year. His State Police Stetson will be waiting for him upon his return from military service.
After a few days off, the new troopers will begin their field training at barracks across the state. A new class of trooper candidates is scheduled to begin training later this month.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
2 comments:
O"Malley really has nerve after the way he has gutted the State Police.
He is just looking for votes. If he truly cared about MSP, he would have gotten rid of Sheridan a long time ago. O'Malley has not given MSP the respect they deserve.
They faired better under Erhlich - which wasn't great, but better than this Governor. Guess who law enforcement is going to support?
O'Malley has not kept his word to the Troopers. Sheridan is a good ole boy. Take a look at his command staff. Women and A/A have suffered under his charge. The guy is a dinosaur. The attorney used to prosecute troopers in trial boards has a very unethical past. So they use a crook basically to go after the men and women of the State Police.
Just where is the Maryland Troopers Assoc. on this. I guess as long as you let a sixty five year old man run that you get Sheridan's thinking. Troopers need to wake up and let O'Malley know what you think.
I will not vote for him again. A lesson well learned.
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