The South Carolina Highway Patrol announces the graduation of 42 troopers from South Carolina Highway Patrol Basic Class 96 on June 18.
Basic 96 brings the total number of troopers in South Carolina to 768.
The troopers began training in January. They graduated from the Criminal Justice Academy on May 8 and continued on for specialized training from the Patrol in all areas of law enforcement, including DUI detection, traffic laws, collision investigation and the use of firearms.
They have trained for 21 weeks and will complete another 400 hours of field training upon graduation.
The Highway Patrol received 1,777 applications and 910 applicants were referred for processing for SCHP Basic 96.
“Troopers from this class will head to communities all over the State of South Carolina and will be welcomed with open arms as they work to make our roadways and  communities safer,” said SCDPS Director Leroy Smith. “We are thankful for their commitment to this noble and selfless calling of public service.”
“I am so proud of the men and women sitting before me today,” said Highway Patrol Col. Mike Oliver. “This is your calling … as law enforcement, you are first on the scene. You are the courageous ones there to protect others and to protect our freedoms.” Troopers are assigned to areas based upon population, calls for service, and the number of licensed drivers/registered vehicles in an area. The troopers from Basic 96 are designated to the counties. Bradley C. Vaught of Loris,    is assigned to Dillon-Florence-Marion. Frank A.   Virzi of Dillon is assigned to Florence-Dillon-Marion.