Cheshire Resident Graduates Connecticut State Police Academy

CHESHIRE, CT — A Cheshire resident was among 53 new state troopers to graduate from the Connecticut State Police Academy on Thursday.

Newly-minted trooper William Brennan was assigned to Troop I in Bethany.

The 131st Training Troop graduated in a ceremony at the Hartford Armory. James C. Rovella, Commissioner of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, and Colonel Stavros Mellekas, Commander of the State Police, congratulated the graduating class during the ceremony.

Gov. Ned Lamont and Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz also addressed the graduates.

The 131st Training Troop entered the Connecticut State Police Training Academy on Sept. 10, 2021, with classes starting remotely due to the coronavirus pandemic. Covid-19. The class began the residential portion of the academy on Oct. 10, Monday through Friday, and completed the remaining 24 weeks of training.

“In total, the class completed a total of 28 weeks and 1,400 hours of training both online and in person,” according to a news release. “In addition to classwork, the recruits spend many hours on physical conditioning, driving, firearms training, active shooter response, experiential training and other specialized areas of police work.”

The 53 members of this class includes 38 men and 15 women.

“Members of the 131st Training Troop have diverse backgrounds, training and experience,” the news release states. “Some are former municipal police officers or correction officers, some have been trained as firefighters and EMTs. The youngest member of the class is 21 years old and the oldest is 47 years old.”