JASPER – On December 15, 2022, eleven probationary Indiana State Police troopers graduated from the 83rd Indiana State Police Academy. Earlier this week, Probationary Trooper Austin Collins reported for duty to the Jasper District.
Trooper Collins is a native of French Lick. After graduating from French Lick High School in 2017, Collins attended Vincennes University for one semester before joining the United States Marine Corps Reserves, where he continues to serve today. Collins holds a military rank of Corporal and specializes as a Rifleman. Collins served as a French Lick Police Officer from December 2019 to July 2022 and as a French Lick Volunteer Fireman since 2014.
Trooper Collins will now begin his next phase of instruction, a three-month field training period, working alongside veteran troopers. Field training aims to give troopers a practical application to the training they received throughout the formal academy. Upon completing field training, the troopers will be assigned a state police patrol vehicle and begin solo patrol. These troopers have already completed over 1,200 hours of structured training in law enforcement techniques and hands-on, scenario-based training at the Indiana State Police Recruit Academy. Their curriculum included criminal law instruction, emergency vehicle operations, psychology, traffic law, crash investigation, self-defense, first responder, and other general law enforcement-related training.
During his time in the ISP Recruit Academy, Collins was awarded the prestigious Superintendent’s Award for finishing at the top of his class.
Upon successful completion of field training, Trooper Collins will patrol Crawford County primarily. The Jasper District comprises Spencer, Perry, Dubois, Martin, Daviess, Orange, and Crawford Counties.
Commander Jason Allen said, “We are proud to welcome Trooper Collins to the Jasper District, and we are excited to see him have a positive impact on our communities.”
If you are interested in pursuing an exciting career as an Indiana State Trooper, please visit www.indianatrooper.com
