Training Academy Resumes Thanks To Partnership Between OHP, OTA

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol's training academy will go forward this year thanks to a new partnership between OHP and the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority.

Under the new plan, the Turnpike Authority will provide $5 million toward training new cadets.

There were concerns that due to the state's budget crisis there wouldn't be a way to fund the academy.

Trooper Dwight Durant said, "We just want to make sure that we have the best of the best, and they have the best training. We're not going to cut any corners. We're going to do it the right way, the way we've always done it."

The Turnpike Authority said the funding will help them maintain the current number of troopers assigned to turnpikes.