On Dec. 2, 29 probationary troopers graduated from the 81st Indiana State Police Academy.

On Dec. 13, two of them — Clayton Saltzman and Gavin Ludwig — reported for duty at the ISP Versailles District.

Probationary troopers now begin their 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 already have completed more than 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.

Saltzman, 26, is a 2014 graduate of Boonville High School in Boonville. After high school, he attended Murray State University, where he graduated with a degree in criminal justice. Prior to being hired by the Indiana State Police, Saltzman worked for UPS. He lives in Bartholomew County.

Ludwig, 21, is a 2019 graduate of Heritage Hills High School in Lincoln City. After high school, he attended Vincennes University, where he graduated with a degree in law enforcement. Ludwig lives in Jennings County.

After completing the field training program, Saltzman and Ludwig will be assigned to Patrol Zone 1, which consists of Jackson and Bartholomew counties.