Oconto man is State Patrol recruit

The 60th recruit class of the Wisconsin State Patrol includes a man from Oconto. David Marquardt is among 52 recruits at the State Patrol Academy at Fort McCoy. On July 13, they began an intense 23-week training program that will culminate with their graduation as troopers or inspectors on Dec. 19. The cadets will train full time in areas such as firearms proficiency, defensive and arrest tactics, traffic stop contacts, emergency vehicle operations and police pursuits. They also will receive training in communication skills, ethics, crash investigations, criminal and traffic law, as well as emergency lifesaving techniques. Their physical, academic and hands-on training will prepare them for law enforcement careers as either State Patrol troopers or inspectors in one of five regions around the state. Troopers generally patrol highways to enforce traffic safety and criminal laws, while inspectors focus primarily on enforcement of motor carrier (large trucks, buses and other commercial motor vehicles) safety laws and regulations.