MANHEIM, PA — Governor Josh Shapiro joined Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Colonel Christopher Paris on Friday to celebrate the graduation of the 173rd Cadet Class of the Pennsylvania State Police Academy. Fifty-nine new troopers completed 28 weeks of intensive training and will now begin serving communities across the Commonwealth, marking the third class to graduate since the administration eliminated the college-credit requirement for cadet applicants.
Governor Shapiro praised the graduates’ commitment and reaffirmed his administration’s focus on strengthening public safety statewide. “Policing is a noble profession — and the men and women of the Pennsylvania State Police go to work every single day to protect and serve our communities,” Shapiro said. He emphasized that these new troopers are entering one of the nation’s most respected law enforcement agencies, noting the rigorous nature of their training.
Expanding the Force and Modernizing Training
Under Shapiro’s leadership, applications to the State Police Academy have surged 258% since the college-credit requirement was removed in 2023. The administration has funded eight cadet classes to train more than 800 new state troopers and secured resources to help municipalities recruit and retain nearly 700 local police officers. More than 500 cadets have already graduated and joined the ranks since Shapiro took office.
Additionally, nearly $400 million has been secured to construct a state-of-the-art PSP Academy. The multi-phase project will feature new classrooms, dormitories, training facilities, and an indoor range, with initial openings expected in October 2026 and full completion projected for 2028.
Investments Driving Safer Communities
The administration has paired expanded recruitment with strategic public safety investments. Initiatives include:
- Body-Worn Cameras: Deployment across all 67 counties to enhance transparency and accountability.
- Violence Intervention Grants: $85 million awarded to over 130 statewide projects.
- BOOST Program: $11.5 million invested in after-school learning and violence prevention initiatives.
- Nonprofit Security: $5 million increase to protect houses of worship and community centers.
- Drug and Gun Violence Reduction: Re-establishment of the Pennsylvania Office of Gun Violence Prevention and seizure of nearly $393 million in illegal drugs.
These efforts coincide with measurable declines in statewide violence. Since Shapiro took office, gun violence has dropped 42%, firearm-related deaths are down 38%, and violent crime declined nearly 12% in 2024 compared to 2022.
Looking Ahead
Shapiro’s proposed 2025–26 budget builds on this momentum with $14.5 million allocated for four additional PSP cadet classes, eliminating the statutory cap on trooper numbers to enhance patrol visibility and response times. Additional funding increases for both the VIP and BOOST programs aim to expand community-based solutions to reduce crime and foster youth development.
“With today’s graduation, these new troopers are joining a proud tradition of service,” Shapiro said. “We are equipping them — and every class that follows — with the tools and training they need to keep Pennsylvanians safe.”
The 59 graduates of the 173rd Cadet Class will now begin assignments at PSP stations across Pennsylvania, marking the next step in the administration’s broader strategy to strengthen law enforcement and public safety statewide.
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