A higher calling: Meet recent LETO graduates
February 21, 2025
If you want a career that offers freedom on the road while serving your community with pride and professionalism, our Law Enforcement Training Opportunity (LETO) program is perfect for you.
LETO is designed to remove barriers for people who are passionate about becoming a Minnesota State trooper. Applicants without law enforcement experience can apply if they have a two- or four-year degree from an accredited college or university. LETO participants earn 80 percent of a trooper’s starting salary ($79,469 through June 17, 2025) during the first 22 weeks of training, then receive 100 percent of the base pay for the rest of their training.
Read what our most recent graduates have to say about their journey below. You can also learn more on our LETO program page.
Trooper Catherine Barrie-Medellin
Age: 46
Background: I grew up all over. My father was in the military. Minnesota always felt like home. This was the one place I always visited as a kid, so I moved here in 1999.
Patrol duties: E-ZPass Station.
Why did you apply to LETO: I had been working for the Minnesota Department of Transportation and was pregnant with twins when doctors discovered I had cancer. After I beat cancer, I thought life’s too short not to do what you want to do. I had always wanted to be in law enforcement, but never really thought I could do it. One day, a coworker mentioned the LETO program. I heard you can train with my degree and get paid for it, so I applied.
Why Minnesota State Patrol: I like the idea of what the Minnesota State Patrol does, and they are widely respected. They’re really doing a push with the 30x30 initiative, which is a goal to increase the number of women troopers and staff to 30 percent by 2030.
Most rewarding part of the job: The number of times I get told thank you. I recently saw a person sleeping on the sidewalk outside of Regions Hospital, so I stopped and was able to find him a bed. I had food and some energy bars that I gave to him and he thanked me for being a compassionate person.
Advice for someone considering LETO: There aren’t many places that will pay for all of your training and give you a salary. If you think you’re not strong enough – you will be. If this 46-year-old woman can do it, so can you!
Trooper Yahya Abdi
Age: 38
Background: I was born in Mogadishu, Somalia. My family fled to Ethiopia to escape war. From there, we moved to Lakeville about 25 years ago.
Patrol duties: Primarily in the south metro area.
Why did you apply to LETO: A friend who now works for Metro Transit Police sent me the application. He had been nudging me to look into law enforcement. I was a stay-at-home dad at the time. You get paid and the benefits are amazing.
Why Minnesota State Patrol: I did a ride-along with a trooper. That’s what sealed the deal for me. There’s so much autonomy and freedom, but you still have partners who can support you, if you need it.
Most rewarding part of the job: Interacting with the public. Even if I stop someone due to a traffic infraction like speeding, I conduct myself in a professional manner. Just the other day, I responded to a crash involving an impaired driver. One trooper took that driver into custody and I took the other family involved in the crash home, along with the groceries they had just bought.
Advice for someone considering LETO: Go for it. Honestly, this is definitely one the best decisions I have made, right up there with starting a family and getting married. The relationships that I built through LETO have become lifelong friendships. I encourage people to come and wear the hat.
Trooper: Vince Wren
Age: 26
Where did you grow up: I was born and raised in Stillwater.
Patrol duties Overnights in the east metro area.
Why did you apply to LETO: Before joining the State Patrol, I was a law student intent on practicing criminal law, but I wanted a more dynamic and fast-paced work environment than sitting at a desk. The LETO program provided an opportunity to obtain the necessary requirements to become a peace officer at no additional cost to me.
Why Minnesota State Patrol: Each day, millions of people use Minnesota’s roadways. Our mission is to ensure each person who travels on our roads arrives at their destination safely. Troopers impact millions of people on a daily basis. In addition to our compelling mission, troopers have considerable autonomy in our day-to-day activities and flexibility in our benefits to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Most rewarding part of the job: Putting on the uniform every day knowing that I am part of a group much larger than myself committed to serving the public. On multiple occasions, I’ve had drivers tell me they felt comforted seeing us arrive on the scene of a crash to make an unfortunate situation less stressful.
Advice for someone considering LETO: Reach out. Talk to a trooper about our experiences and/or schedule a ride-along to get a first-hand look at what it really means to be a Minnesota State trooper.
Trooper John Thao
Age: 31
Background: I was born in California, but mostly grew up in St. Paul.
Patrol duties: West metro area.
Why did you apply to LETO: While working in human resources, I grew weary of the everyday, monotonous office job. I thought maybe it was a sign to make a switch. I had previously worked in the military and was really feeling the call to community service again.
Why Minnesota State Patrol: The commute for my prior job was frustrating because I would see people on the phone or driving recklessly with no regard for others. Traffic enforcement is something I truly care about. Because the Minnesota State Patrol is so focused on traffic safety, I thought I could make a difference on the road for everyone.
Most rewarding part of the job: Knowing I can make a difference on the road, to be honest. Pulling over people for DWIs or people texting and driving to prevent them from causing a crash or something more dangerous. I also enjoy building those relationships between law enforcement and the community. Every single day is different. Every day is a learning opportunity.
Advice for someone considering LETO: If you feel the call to service explore the opportunity. If this is a career that you truly want to do, I believe anyone can do it.
