The Pennsylvania State Police welcomed 74 new troopers to its ranks during a graduation ceremony held Friday, May 16, at LCBC Manheim in Lancaster County. Among them, three cadets have been assigned to Troop L, which covers Berks County and the surrounding region.
Nathaniel Penko, Austin R. Sterenchock, and Shaun P. Sweeney will begin their assignments at the Reading station on May 27, 2025.
“Today is a great day for the State Police and Pennsylvania as we celebrate the 172nd Cadet Class, whose hard work and determination over the last 27 weeks have earned them the rank of Trooper,” said PSP Commissioner Colonel Christopher Paris. “I now look forward to watching these dedicated women and men join their PSP brothers and sisters in serving and protecting communities across the Commonwealth.”
Sterenchock also received special recognition during the ceremony, earning the American Legion Award, which is presented to the cadet who best exemplifies the qualities of academic excellence, physical fitness, ethics, and moral character.
This graduating class is the second to complete the PSP Academy without a college credit requirement, following a change implemented by the Shapiro Administration in August 2023. Since removing the requirement, the department has seen a notable increase in applications, with 1,629 received in the latest cycle.
Governor Josh Shapiro’s proposed 2025-26 state budget includes $16 million to fund four additional cadet classes, potentially adding nearly 400 more troopers statewide. The proposal also seeks to eliminate the statutory cap on the number of troopers, which officials say would allow for increased patrol visibility and faster response times.
The new troopers will be deployed across Pennsylvania, including assignments in Lancaster, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, and Erie. Troop L, headquartered in Reading, will see the addition of the three local graduates to its force.
For more information about the Pennsylvania State Police or to learn how to apply, visit www.patrooper.com.