PIERRE, S.D. (Press Release) – They are already on duty, but the first nine troopers in the South Dakota Highway Patrol’s new Fast Track Academy will have their graduation ceremony this Thursday, Nov. 5, at the state Capitol in Pierre.

Class 63’s graduation was originally scheduled for Friday, Oct. 23, but was postponed because of winter weather conditions. The decision to postpone the graduation was made so the new troopers and veteran Highway Patrol staff were available to help citizens impacted by the winter weather.

Thursday’s event starts at 1 p.m. inside the Capitol Rotunda. South Dakota Supreme Court Chief Justice David Gilbertson is the keynote speaker. Thursday’s ceremony is limited to immediate family only. The ceremony will be livestreamed on the Highway Patrol’s Facebook page.

The Highway Patrol is part of the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.