Three probationary troopers assigned to Putnam County

Probationary officers Michael C. Organ, Brian S. Thomas and Marcus R. Tow pose with their patrol cars.

PUTNAMVILLE -- Probationary troopers from the 70th Indiana State Police Recruit Academy class were issued their police cruisers this week at the ISP garage located at the Indianapolis District.

New probationary officers assigned to the Putnamville Post are Troopers Michael C. Organ, Brian S. Thomas and Marcus R. Tow.

All three probationary troopers have been initially assigned to patrol Putnam County.

The probationary officers recently completed a three-month field-training period with veteran troopers and will serve a one-year probationary period before attaining permanent status as a trooper.

In addition to the field training, the new officers received approximately 840 hours of structured training in law enforcement techniques when they were assigned to Indiana State Police Recruit Academy.

The curriculum included 80 hours of criminal law instruction, 50 hours of vehicle operations training, 30 hours of psychology, and 40 hours of "Survival Spanish." They also developed skills in criminal investigation, vehicle crash investigation, and impaired driver prevention and detection.

Probationary Trooper Organ, a graduate of Riverton Parke High School, is from Rosedale. Also a graduate of Indiana State University, Organ has a bachelor's degree in sports management.

Probationary Trooper Thomas, a native of Connersville, is a graduate of Terre Haute North High School. He attended Indiana State University, where he majored in criminology.

Probationary Trooper Tow, a native of Sullivan, is a graduate of Sullivan High School. Tow is a graduate of Indiana State University with degrees in history and political science.

The Putnamville District covers Putnam, Parke, Vermillion, Vigo, Clay and Sullivan counties.