Two new Troopers are getting hands-on learning

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Story Published: Oct 19, 2009 at 6:33 PM PDT

By Nicole Plascencia

COOS BAY, ORE - Making their way back towards having 24 hour coverage, Oregon State Police have two new Recruit Troopers in Coos Bay, learning the ropes before they become full-fledged Troopers in just a few short months.

Josh Mullins and Ben Looney both graduated from the Academy this past Friday and are starting on-the-job training this week.

Looney, a graduate of Marshfield High School, says he is excited about starting his work here in the Bay Area. "I've been around law enforcement my whole life and it's just been an interest of mine and growing up in this community and giving back to it what it's given me."

Lt. Steve Smartt says Mullins and Looney will be working with a Trooper at all times for the next month before heading out for a five week post-Academy training program, finally to return as full functioning Oregon State Police Troopers.

He says that having two additional bodies on the area roads will be huge. "That brings us up to 11, we will have 12 when our one senior Trooper, who's deployed in Iraq now, gets back. And that will allow us to go to a 24-7 schedule, we'll be able to cover 24 hours of the day."

Lt. Smartt says he's excited to get these guys on board and that by June they will have 24 hour coverage.

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