ISP Putnamville District welcomes two new troopers

Saturday, January 5, 2013
Ian M. Portteus

PUTNAMVILLE -- The Putnamville District this week received two new troopers from the 72nd Indiana State Police Recruit Academy, which graduated Dec. 21.

Joining the Putnamville District roster are Troopers Ian M. Portteus and Erik S. Smith.

Trooper Portteus is a 24-year-old Owen County native and graduate of Owen Valley High School. After high school, he attended Indiana University-Purdue University of Indianapolis.

An avid car and motorcycle enthusiast, Portteus enjoys music and is a worship leader at his local church. He and his wife reside in Owen County.

Trooper Portteus will be assigned patrol duties in Clay County.

Trooper Smith is a 30-year-old Sullivan County native and a graduate of Sullivan High School.

Smith served in the United States Air Force from 2003 through 2011 with tours in Japan and Iraq. He is a sports enthusiast and volunteers as a boys' basketball coach for Terre Haute South High School.

Prior to his acceptance in the ISP Recruit School, Smith served as a Vigo County Sheriff's Office correctional officer for 2-½ years. He and his wife reside in Vigo County.

Trooper Smith will be assigned patrol duties in Sullivan County.

Both new Putnamville troopers began their 14 weeks of field training with experienced troopers this week. The field training program allows them the opportunity to put the skills and knowledge they gained in the academy to work in the real world environment.

Upon successful completion of the field training program, they will receive their own patrol vehicle and begin solo patrol duties.

During their time at the academy, recruits received approximately 930 hours of structured law enforcement training which included 80 hours of criminal law, 80 hours of emergency vehicle operations training, and 47 hours of traffic law.

Erik S. Smith

They also developed skills in criminal investigation, 47 hours of vehicle crash investigation, impaired driver detection and other numerous law related subjects.

"We are glad to welcome Troopers Portteus and Smith to our district," said Lt. Dan Jones, Putnamville District commander. "We will do our best to provide them a successful field training, as well as future, work environment."

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