Oklahoma Highway Patrol academy class reduced to 50 cadets

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The Oklahoma Highway Patrol Academy's class is down to just 50 cadets after testing and background checks eliminated hundreds of people who applied.<br/><br/>The patrol is short

Thursday, October 13th 2005, 10:28 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The Oklahoma Highway Patrol Academy's class is down to just 50 cadets after testing and background checks eliminated hundreds of people who applied.

The patrol is short 94 troopers and hasn't had an academy in the past three years because of statewide budget cuts, but has two academies this fiscal year, including one that began in August.

There were 872 applications and 627 applicants were scheduled for testing. Of those, 365 showed up and 228 passed, but after background checks and interviews the number was cut to 65.

Now just 50 remain.

Lieutenant Pete Norwood says the academy is similar to a military boot camp and cadets are put through as much mental stress as physical stress.

The next academy begins next May 31st and the deadline to apply is October 31st