Putnamville – On Monday three new probationary troopers reported for duty at the Indiana State Police Post in Putnamville. They are three of the 54 new troopers reporting to their districts of assignment following graduation from the 78th Indiana State Police Recruit Academy on Thursday, December 13, 2018.
Their recent graduation marked the culmination of 22 weeks of intense training exceeding 1,018 hours. Some subject areas of training included criminal and traffic law, crash investigations, emergency vehicle operations, defensive tactics, firearms and a host of other subjects related to modern policing.
Andrew C. Mattern, age 28, is a Vigo County, Indiana native, and a graduate of Terre Haute South High School. After having graduated High School he attended Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). Prior to his graduation from the ISP Recruit Academy, Mattern was a Deputy with the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department. He enjoys hiking at national parks, fishing, and working on his home. Mattern will be primarily assigned to patrol Sullivan County and resides in Terre Haute. Mattern is engaged to be married in May of 2019.
Gerald D. Stump, age 27, is a Vigo County, Indiana native, a graduate of Terre Haute South High School and a graduate of Indiana State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology. Prior to graduating from the ISP Recruit Academy, Stump was a Motor Carrier Inspector (MCI) with the Indiana State Police. During his time off, Stump enjoys being with his family and friends. Stump enjoys watching and playing sports, and working out. Stump will primarily patrol Vigo County and he resides in West Terre Haute with his wife Kaysee.
William R. Clark, age 30, is a Sullivan County, Indiana native and a graduate of Sullivan High School. Prior to graduating from the ISP Recruit Academy, Clark was a co-owner/operator of a family-owned construction company. He enjoys hunting and fishing during his time off. Clark will primarily patrol Sullivan County and he resides in Sullivan with his wife Anna.
The three new troopers will continue their training for the next three months as part of the ISP Field Training Program. The Field Training Program pairs new troopers with veteran troopers, or Field Training Officers (FTO’s). This allows the new troopers to take what they learned in the recruit academy and apply it in the field under the close supervision of the FTO. Upon successful completion of their field training, they will be issued their own commissions and be assigned solo patrol responsibilities.
