Indiana State Police Toll Road Post welcomes three new probationary troopers, Triton grad

On Jan. 9, 30 newly appointed probationary troopers graduated from the 86th Indiana State Police Recruit Academy.

Three of these troopers are being assigned to the Indiana State Police Toll Road Post and will begin their next training phase, a three-month field training period, riding with veteran troopers.  The purpose of the field training is to put into practical application the training received over the duration of the formal academy.

Upon successful completion of field training, each trooper will be assigned a state police patrol vehicle and will begin solo patrol.

These troopers have already completed over 1,100 hours of structured training in law enforcement techniques as well as hands-on and scenario-based training at the Indiana State Police Recruit Academy. The curriculum included criminal law instruction, emergency vehicle operations, psychology, traffic law, crash investigation, self-defense, first responder, and other general enforcement related training.

Trooper Brianna Santoyo is a graduate of Triton High School. She went on to earn a general studies degree from Indiana University South Bend, with a concentration in mathematics and science. While attending Indiana University South Bend, she served as an intern for the Indiana State Police Bremen Post in 2019.

She will patrol the Indiana Toll Road, primarily in Porter, LaPorte and St. Joseph County.

Trooper Andrew Bixler is a native of Steuben County, Ind. Bixler was homeschooled and went on to attend Faithway Baptist College near Toronto, Canada. He graduated with a theology degree in 2021. He will patrol the Indiana Toll Road primarily in St. Joseph, Elkhart and LaGrange counties.

Trooper Carson Hieber graduated from East Noble High School. After high school, he attended Indiana University South Bend, where he studied criminal justice for three years. While there, he interned for the Indiana State Police at the Toll Road Post. He will patrol the Indiana Toll Road primarily in St. Joseph, Elkhart and LaGrange County.

Anyone interested in becoming an Indiana State Trooper should visit IndianaTrooper.com