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HELENA - Montana's highways are getting a welcome addition as 10 troopers have graduated from the 52nd Montana Highway Patrol Advanced Academy.

State Attorney General Steve Bullock congratulated the commitment each new trooper had made to working for the Patrol, noting that the class of 10 was selected from 543 applicants.

"Troopers stay with the Patrol because they have an opportunity to make a very real difference for the people of our state. You can be sure that the communities in which you will serve need you there," Bullock said.

Six of the graduating troopers will serve their initial assignments in Montana's eastern and northern counties in response to the additional demands placed on law enforcement by the oil boom.

"While the oil boom has provided great opportunities, it has also presented tremendous challenges for our communities," Bullock said. "Two homicides just two weeks apart in January, in an area where law enforcement is already stretched thin, are a sobering reminder of those challenges."

The class started their training in September of 2011 and after Friday's swearing-in they'll take part in a nine-week field training program before assuming their initial station assignments.

One of the new graduates, Craig Kennewick, will be assigned to Libby.