COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The State Highway Patrol is sending out dozens of new troopers around Ohio.

The patrol says 44 cadets graduated Friday in its 158th Academy Class after going through half a year of paramilitary training. Their courses covered topics such as criminal and traffic law, crash investigations, self-defense and firearms use.

The new troopers will report to their posts on Monday and will spend their first two months on the job working under the guidance of veteran officers. The graduates are being assigned to 23 of the agency's 58 posts around the state.