INSTITUTE, W.Va. — Gov. Jim Justice told members of the 66th Cadet Class of the West Virginia State Police at Monday morning’s enlistment ceremony the state is behind them.
“So be brave and know behind all of these troubled scenes that the masses love you and they appreciate you,” Justice said just before he swore cadets in at the State Police Academy in Institute.
The cadets are starting 10 weeks of training. That’s shorter than regular cadet classes because these cadets are already certified police officers. It’s the second time the state has used the accelerated class option.
Justice told cadets they may very well face life and death situations during their time as troopers.
“You may very well be the last hand that some touch that leave this earth but you’ll be a hand of love and a hand of help and a hand of care,” he said.
The class is the first cadet class since 2014. State police is currently testing for another class.