Oklahoma Highway Patrol - Train Like a Trooper Podcast

The new Director of the Oklahoma First Responder Wellness Division, Trooper Chance Tuttle, sits down with us to discuss his new role and the latest plans for the division focused on the mental well-being of all first responders in Oklahoma.

Hosts Sarah Stewart and LT Mark Southall #81 talk to LT Dustin Thornton #90 of OHP's Traffic Homicide Unit about trends we're seeing in ATV/UTV crashes as well as safety for these types of vehicles.

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.

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.

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! 

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! 

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

Join hosts Sarah Stewart and Trooper Eric Foster #724 for the third part of the discussion about the newly formed Oklahoma First Responder Wellness Division. Trooper Danny Long #926 is heading up this effort to revamp the Officer Assistance Program for the Highway Patrol as well as for first responders around our state. In this podcast, we bring in LPC Amy Morgan who is helping to develop the program and they talk about what this will look like, first for DPS employees, and ultimately for law enforcement and their families all over Oklahoma.

Join hosts Sarah Stewart and Trooper Eric Foster as they continue the talk with Trooper Danny Long and his vision for the new Officer Wellness Program for OHP. Trooper Long's personal journey through his career with OHP has uniquely prepared him to reshape this agency program. Learn how it will involve every trooper and eventually every employee of DPS in the mental wellness process.

Trooper Danny Long #926 shares his very personal story about his struggles with mental health over the course of his law enforcement career. His experiences have shaped who he is today and have paved the way for his latest mission - revamping the Oklahoma Highway Patrol Officer Assistance Program. Over the next two podcasts, we'll hear from Trooper Long as he details his journey and then discusses his plans to make mental wellness a priority for the patrol and how he plans to make resources readily available for every trooper in the state.

Join hosts Sarah Stewart and Trooper Eric Foster as they talk with Trooper Kyle Borden, who was instrumental in getting the Oklahoma Highway patrol certified as an official CrossFit Box. Learn what this distinction means for the patrol and current and future troopers and how this can be a recruiting tool for the highway patrol.

Join hosts Sarah Stewart and Trooper Eric Foster as they discuss the only unsolved homicide case involving an Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper. Trooper James Long was gunned down in the line of duty back in 1942. The shooter has never been apprehended. Trooper Mark Dlugokinski discusses the case and the efforts over the years to solve it.

On this episode of Train Like a Trooper, hosts Sarah Stewart and Trooper Eric Foster along with Trooper BJ Keeling talk with Dr. Jarrad Wagner about important chemistry on roadside contacts.  Dr. Wagner is a professor of forensic sciences at the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, and specializes in research and instruction in forensic toxicology and chemistry.

On this episode of TLAT we are featuring Jeff Sifers discussing report writing for LEOs. Sifers is a prosecutor for Grady County and, was recently, a Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor for the DA’s Council.  Hosts Sarah Stewart and Trooper Eric Foster along with Trooper BJ Keeling talk about the importance of working from the traffic stop all the way through to conviction on a DUI case.

Join hosts Sarah Stewart and Trooper Eric Foster as they head to DRE (Drug Recognition Expert) school in Durant and talk to Karl Citek, a Professor of Optometry from Forest Grove, Oregon. Professor Citek was in Oklahoma teaching law enforcement about nystagmus testing for intoxicated individuals and how clues from the eyes can be a valuable tool in DUI enforcement.