Governor Moore Welcomes Largest Graduating Class of Maryland State Troopers in Five Years

Annapolis, MD – Governor Wes Moore, alongside Maryland State Police Superintendent Colonel Roland L. Butler, Jr., recently recognized the graduates of the 159th Academy Class, marking the largest group of new troopers to join the ranks in half a decade. The ceremony, held at LifePoint Church in Reisterstown, celebrated the dedication of these individuals who have completed extensive training to serve and protect the citizens of Maryland. The governor acknowledged the significant commitment made by both the graduating troopers and their families.

The 159th Academy Class comprises a diverse group of recruits, with many bringing valuable experience and specialized skills to the force. Among the graduates, three have previous military backgrounds, seven are certified paramedics, and twelve were participants in the Maryland State Police cadet program. Furthermore, a substantial portion of the class holds college degrees, with twenty-one graduates possessing bachelor’s degrees, and twenty-nine participating in a concurrent Associate of Arts program offered in conjunction with Frederick Community College. This commitment to recruiting highly qualified and diverse candidates underscores the Maryland State Police’s ongoing efforts to enhance its service to the community.

The rigorous 27-week training program at the Maryland State Police Academy in Sykesville is designed to equip cadets with the essential skills and integrity needed to face the challenges of modern law enforcement. Following graduation, each new trooper will undergo an additional eight weeks of field training under the guidance of experienced officers before being authorized to patrol independently. These comprehensive training initiatives are contributing to notable reductions in crime rates across the state, with preliminary data indicating that violent crime, including homicides and non-fatal shootings, has reached its lowest point in ten years.

The Moore-Miller administration has prioritized public safety through significant investments in law enforcement, allocating nearly $122 million in the fiscal year 2026 state budget to support local police departments statewide. These investments are directly linked to the observed improvements in public safety. To further bolster these efforts, the Maryland State Police is actively expanding its operational reach by establishing new local barracks and strengthening specialized divisions in collaboration with local law enforcement agencies. A notable development will be the upcoming opening of Berlin Barrack ‘V’ on the Eastern Shore, a facility that will house the barracks, a crime laboratory, and an extensive garage space.

In addition to expanding its physical presence, the Maryland State Police, through its Maryland Gun Center, is intensifying its collaboration with local jurisdictions to remove illegal firearms from Maryland communities. This initiative has shown promising results, with a recent week demonstrating a more than 15% increase in reported tips or emails to the Maryland Gun Center compared to the same period last year. This enhanced intelligence gathering is enabling the Maryland State Police to more effectively intercept illegal guns that are often involved in violent criminal activities throughout the state.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Office of Governor Wes Moore.

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