Oklahoma Highway Patrol - Train Like a Trooper Podcast

OHP 75th Academy Recruiting Questions

Hosts Sarah Stewart and LT Mark Southall #81 sit down with full-time recruiter Trooper Keyton Davis #508 and Training LT Chris Liles #103 to discuss FAQ's both from potential applicants and troopers recruiting for the OHP 75th Academy set to begin January 2026. The 75th Academy will be a lateral academy, meaning applicants must have at least two years of full-time, certified law enforcement experience. We cover questions about education, experience, and much more! A must listen if you're currently in law enforcement and thinking about making the switch to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Applications are being accepted through August 1! You can also view a video version of the podcast on You Tube at https://youtu.be/L3Ce6H9vqR0?si=_t20T7JtTtVTgkrv.

OHP Firearms

Train Like a Trooper podcast hosts Sarah Stewart and LT Mark Southall #81 discuss firearms with Trooper Mark Walters #714 and LT Steven Cornell #120, two of OHP's resident experts on the topic. The group discusses the history of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol’s firearms training program to include how it was developed and evolved to what it is today. Also discussed is the loadout troopers carry while patrolling Oklahoma’s roadways.

Applications Open for the 75th Lateral OHP Academy

In this episode, we talk to Troopers Chris Wade and Weston Baker, who are both graduates of the last lateral academy, OHP's 73rd Academy. As we open applications for the next lateral, the OHP 75th Academy, these troopers talk about their decision to leave a law enforcement job with another agency and join the OHP. Hear what they thought of the experience and why they decided their careers could flourish with the Highway Patrol. A must hear for anyone thinking about applying for the 75th! 

New OHP Recruiting Division

In this episode, we hear from Troopers Austin Brown and Keyton Davis. They have recently become OHP's full-time recruiters. We talk about the new division, why it's important, and what OHP is looking for in cadets. If you've ever wondered what it takes to become a trooper, take a listen! 

OHP 73rd Lateral Academy Cadets

Join host Sarah Stewart and PIO Trooper Preston Cox as they speak with two of the cadets from the OHP 73rd Lateral Academy. The academy graduated just before Christmas 2024 and we spoke with the cadets about a month before graduation. All lateral academy cadets were already in law enforcement before joining OHP. Hear why they wanted to become Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers.

Protect OK App

The State of Oklahoma, along with the Department of Public Safety, the Oklahoma County Terrorism Intelligence Center (OCTIC), and the Oklahoma School Security Institute developed the free, anonymous, Protect OK app. The ProtectOK app consolidates all suspicious activity reporting into one easy-to-use platform. The app even allows users to upload pictures and videos when reporting suspicious activity, making it easier than ever to report. In this episode, we hear from the Oklahoma Counter Terrorism Intelligence Center's Director and Assistant Director, Captain Allan Young and Jason Knight, along with an intelligence analyst from OCTIC about how this new app is keeping our schools and communities safe.

Train Like a Trooper Interview with 72nd OHP Graduates

Public Information Director Sarah Stewart and PIO Trooper Preston Cox #248 interview with two graduates of the 72nd Oklahoma Highway Patrol Academy. The two graduates are Trooper Truitt and Trooper Butler. 

OHP Darkest Day

May 26, 1978, is the darkest day in the history of OHP, when three troopers were slain in two separate shootouts with two escaped Oklahoma State Prison convicts. In this podcast, Captain Ronnie Hampton talks about his extensive research on the 34-day trail of terror by the two convicts before they were killed as well in the shootout with troopers. We also talk to LT Mike Williams and his wife about that day. LT Williams shot and killed one of the suspects, bringing the deadly encounter to a final end.

New OHP Education Requirements

Join Train Like a Trooper hosts Sarah Stewart and Trooper Eric Foster as they talk about new education requirements to become a trooper. Guest Dustin Whitten with OSU/OKC discusses the unique partnership with OHP and how it's creating a path for potential candidates to become troopers with little to no prior college credit hours. 

Free Wellness Sessions

Trooper Danny Long, head of the First Responder Wellness Division and Stacey Stephens, a Licensed Professional Counselor, talk about the new initiative to get all troopers six free counseling sessions a year. This is a groundbreaking effort that will eventually expand to other first responders and will make a difference in the mental well-being of our law enforcement and other first responders.