4 From Latest State Police Trooper Training Class Heading To Troop C

TOLLAND COUNTY, CT — A total of 32 new troopers graduated from the Connecticut State Police 134th Training Troop Thursday, including four assigned to the Troop C barracks.

Ronnell A. Higgins, the commissioner of the department of emergency services and public protection, and Interim Colonel Daniel Loughman, the commander of the state police, congratulated the graduating class during a ceremony held at Central Connecticut State University. Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz also attended and addressed the graduates.

Assigned to Troop C in Tolland County are Jeremy Shepard, of Somers; Kelly Mazza, of Enfield; Nicholas Jamaitus, of Coventry; and Ryan Crawford, of Somers.

The 134th Training Troop entered the Connecticut State Police Training Academy on June 16, with classes starting in a blended learning format. On July 17, 2023, the class began the residential portion of the academy, Monday through Friday, and completed the remaining 24 weeks of training.

In total, the class completed a total of 28 weeks and more than 1,500 hours of training both online and in person. 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 32 members of this class includes 28 men and four women. Some are former municipal police officers or correction officers; some have been trained as firefighters and EMTs and some have military backgrounds. The youngest member of the class is 21 and the oldest is 43.

Among the 32 graduates:

• 6 have military experience
• 2 have prior law enforcement experience
• 10 hold bachelor’s degrees
• 1 holds an advanced degree