181 new Troopers complete NYSP training

ALBANY, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) — Governor Kathy Hochul was on hand on Thursday, Oct. 17, to welcome 181 new New York State Troopers to the force after their graduation at the Empire State Plaza in Albany.

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The graduation culminates the 215th session of the New York State Police Academy. The graduation puts the number of Troopers across the state to 5,183.

“I commend these 181 men and women for dedicating themselves to public service, and their commitment to protecting the people of New York State,” Governor Hochul said in a statement. “The New York State Police put their lives on the line each day to keep us safe, serving as a critical lifeline for all New Yorkers. On behalf of the State, I want to thank the graduates for their perseverance and welcome them to the long gray line.”

A SUNY Morrisville graduate received the Joseph T. Aversa Physical Fitness Award. The winner — Gavin Mannion of Cornwall-on-Hudson, a former member of the Army and a graduate of the college’s automotive technology program — scored the highest of all members of the session on the Physical Agility test. Mannion was awarded a firearm, and will be assigned to Troop F out of Middletown.

The following local new Troopers will be joining Troop D, based out of Oneida:

• Trooper James Amuso, of Utica,
• Trooper Christian Cacciatore, of Ilion,
• Trooper Michael Cole, of Rome,
• Trooper Matthew Cross, of Utica,
• Trooper Robert Howe, of Poland,
• Trooper Robert Lyubezhanin, of Utica,
• Trooper Scott Williams, of Utica, and
• Trooper Matthew Vasquez, of Deansboro.

The new Troopers will report for field duty at their assigned troops on Wednesday, October 23. They will spend the next ten weeks in a field training program.

“Today’s graduation is the culmination of six months of difficult classwork, physical training, and sacrifice, and we now welcome our newest members to one of the most prestigious and well-respected law enforcement agencies in the nation,” New York State Police Superintendent Steven James said in a statement. “I am confident they are equipped to carry out our mission to serve our communities with the same professionalism and pride the State Police have exhibited for the past 107 years.”

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