COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP):The State Highway Patrol is adding three dozen new troopers in Ohio.

The 36 cadets in Friday's graduation ceremony in Columbus are members of the 157th class at the patrol's academy. Academy participants spend months taking courses on topics such as criminal and traffic law, crash investigation, firearms and self-defense.

There are about 1,600 uniformed patrol personnel statewide. The newest troopers will be assigned to various posts around the state.