Getting to know the folks in the community and looking to add to their numbers, troopers with Georgia State Patrol Post 11 in Hinesville held a community appreciation and recruiting day Thursday afternoon.
GSP troopers from across the state who serve in various capacities welcomed potential officers and taught them about GSP.
GSP SWAT officers brought in their response vehicle and a variety of the weapons and equipment they use during emergency response operations. The GSP helicopter captivated those in attendance as it glided over the building and soon landed in the parking lot. People got a chance to tour Post 11’s building, meeting GSP troopers and the cadets currently in training ,some of who live at the station until training is complete.
A GSP K-9 officer was also on hand.
Trooper First Class Hawk Parrish, a six-year veteran, is in charge of safety education and recruiting at Troop 1 in Brunswick.
He said GSP has been hosting events like this throughout the state.
"We are out here to show the community that we appreciate them," he said. "We have invited them to come out and tour the facility and see everything we have to offer and also hoping to find maybe someone interested in becoming a Georgia State Trooper."
He said they are looking for individuals who are willing to serve their community, have integrity and professionalism. Applicants must be 21 years or older.
"We don’t have a maximum age requirement, in fact right now at trooper school we have a 52 year old gentleman," Parrish said.
Parrish said training includes attending Peace Officer Standards and Training academy. The academy is 18 weeks.
Post commander Sgt. John Snipe became the new commander at the Hinesville Post in June. He said after the academy cadets get assigned to a post and further their training alongside GSP troopers. Cadets will do 90 days of field training at three different posts. The whole process, from academy to graduation, takes about seven months.
Upon graduation the new GSP troopers gets their permanent post assignment.
Snipe has been with GSP for 26 years.
For more information on becoming a GSP Trooper visit: dps.georgia.gov/careers-0, or call Parrish at 404-710-1120.