State Police trying new program to increase manpower

INSTITUTE, W.Va. — The West Virginia State Police is going to try a new program in an effort to address the ongoing manpower issues within the department.

The State Police announced Tuesday plans to implement an Accelerated Cadet Program (ACP) for the 64th Cadet Class.

This program will have qualifying candidates put through an 11 week training course at the West Virginia State Police Academy, as compared to the 25 weeks of training for a regular Cadet Class.

In order to qualify for consideration to participate in the ACP, applicants must have successfully completed the Basic Program at the West Virginia State Police Academy.

In a State Police release, Colonel C. R. “Jay” Smithers made the following statement about the program.

“The Accelerated Cadet Program offers an opportunity for qualified law enforcement officers within West Virginia to become a West Virginia State Trooper and forego taking Academy classes that they previously completed during the Basic Program,” said Smithers. “I believe this program will prove to be cost effective and will allow the Agency to put qualified Troopers in the field more expeditiously.”

Recruiting and the acceptance of applications began Monday. Testing for the 64th Cadet Class will begin in November. Training is expected to begin March 24, 2014.

Interested officers are encouraged to contact either their local detachment of the West Virginia State Police or visit www.wvsp.gov for more information.