176 New State Troopers Graduate from New York State Police Academy
The New York State Police welcomed 176 new troopers to their ranks as the 216th session of the Basic School at the New York State Police Academy concluded with a graduation ceremony held at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany.
Governor Kathy Hochul and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James addressed the graduates, acknowledging their commitment to public service and law enforcement.
“These 176 men and women have dedicated themselves to protecting the people of New York State,” said Governor Hochul. “Their mission has grown increasingly complex, and we thank them for their perseverance and dedication.”
Superintendent James emphasized the rigorous training and preparation undertaken by the graduates.
“Today’s ceremony marks the culmination of six months of intense training, and we now welcome these individuals into one of the most respected law enforcement agencies in the nation.”
Several graduates received awards for exceptional performance in various aspects of their training:
Academic Achievement Award: Clayton D. Buff of Cohoes, NY, achieved the highest academic performance with an overall average of 96.58%. Buff studied Criminal Justice at the University at Albany and previously served four years in the U.S. Army. He will be assigned to Troop G.
Firearms Proficiency Award: Hunter T. Argetsinger of Elmira, NY, attained a perfect firearms training score of 250 out of 250. A former officer with the Elmira Police Department, he earned his associate’s degree in Criminal Justice from Corning Community College. He will be assigned to Troop E.
Physical Fitness Award: Oliver P. Valenti of Clarence, NY, excelled in physical training, earning the highest fitness score among all graduates. He studied Forensic Science at Hilbert College and worked as a front-end coordinator at Wegmans. Valenti will be assigned to Troop A.
Class Representative Award: Antonio M. Vecchio of Levittown, NY, was chosen by his peers to represent the graduating class. He studied Economics at Binghamton University and will be assigned to Troop C.
The newly sworn-in troopers will begin field duty on February 7 or February 10, depending on their platoon assignment. They will undergo a 10-week field training program under the supervision of senior Field Training Officers to prepare them for their roles in communities across New York State.