Michigan State Police Community Newsletter. Connect with us on social media. Image featuring MSP helicopter and patrol car. [ [link removed] ]




*February 2024*






In Remembrance of Tpr. Joel Popp

Trooper Popp

Tpr. Joel E. Popp of the Tri-City Post, our 56th trooper to die in the line of duty, was laid to rest on Jan. 31, 2024.? Trooper Popp was investigating an impaired driver on I-75 near Birch Run on the evening of Jan. 24 when he was struck and killed by a passing motorist.

Trooper Popp enlisted with the MSP in January of 2020, graduating as a member of the 137th Trooper Recruit School. He was a loving and caring husband, father, son, brother, grandson, uncle and nephew. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, snowmobiling and golfing. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved being a dad.

The MSP wishes to acknowledge our many law enforcement partners and emergency responders who assisted at the scene and who continue to provide support to our department during this difficult time.

To send condolences or donate to the Popp family, click here. [ [link removed] ]







MSP Honors Employees for Dedication and Service
Of the Year Winners

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On Wednesday, Feb. 8, the MSP honored over 100 members at our Employee Recognition Ceremony! Members were recognized for earning promotions, achieving 30 and 35 years of service and for several special awards.

Among the special recognitions [ [link removed] ] were the presentation of the MSP ?Of the Year? awards and the department?s highest honor, the Valor Award. Recipients were:


* Trooper of the Year: D/Sgt. Ian Fields, Southwest Enforcement Team
* Motor Carrier Officer of the Year: MC Ofcr. Joshua Roll, Cadillac Post
* Civilian of the Year: Mr. Nicholas Dowker, Criminal Justice Information Center
* Retiree of the Year: F/Lt. Robert Young, Ret.
* Valor Award: Sgt. Michael Thomas; Sgt. Robert Bilacic, Ret.; Tpr. Maxwell Prince, Tpr. Blaine Stormer

Four community engagement awards were also presented. You can read more about these awards here. [ [link removed] ]

Congratulations to all and thank you for your service!






MSP Celebrates Black History Month with Video Series

Black History Month

February is Black History Month, during which we?re recognizing and honoring the contributions of our Black members, both past and present, in a four-part video series.

You can view the first two videos in the series on our YouTube Channel [ [link removed] ]. Additional videos will be added each Friday in February.







Save a Life - Slow Down and Move Over

Move Over Law

Already this year, we?ve seen multiple police officers across the state be seriously injured or killed from being hit while on the side of the road, including Tpr. Joel Popp.

Remember: Michigan?s Move Over Law requires motorists to slow down and move over for stationary emergency vehicles with their lights activated. When approaching a stationary emergency vehicle with its emergency lights activated, carefully slow down to at least 10 mph below the posted speed limit and fully move over into an open lane. If this is not possible due to traffic, weather or road conditions, slow down to at least 10 mph below the posted speed limit, and pass with caution allowing the emergency vehicle as much space as possible.

The law applies to the following vehicles:


* Police
* Fire
* Rescue
* Ambulance
* Road Service
* Road Maintenance
* Utility Service
* Solid Waste Hauler
* Road service vehicles include tow trucks and courtesy vehicles operated by the Michigan Department of Transportation.

For a list of frequently asked questions, checkout this Move Over Brochure [ [link removed] ].







Attention Parents: Sextortion on the Rise in Michigan

While sextortion sounds like something that only occurs in the movies or large metropolitan areas, the MSP is warning parents of an increase in these cases across the state.

Sextortion is a form of online exploitation involving victims who are coerced or manipulated into providing sexually explicit images or video through threats, intimidation or emotional manipulation. After obtaining that compromising material, predators threaten to release it publicly unless their financial demands are met. Payment is often requested in gift cards, mobile payment services or other payment methods.?

The MSP shares the following safety tips and reminders with parents:


* Supervise your child?s use of computer applications and cell phones with internet access.
* Parents should have open discussions with their children about the dangers of interacting with people they don?t know on the internet.
* Make sure your child knows they can talk to you or another trusted adult if they have concerns about an online contact or if they experience any suspicious interactions online.
* Be aware that once an image, video, or comment is posted online, it is there forever.

If you or your child experiences sextortion, take the following actions:


* Immediately contact law enforcement or the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or online at tips.fbi.gov [ [link removed] ] to make a report.?
* Consult with authorities before deciding whether to comply with the demands of a blackmailer. Cooperating or paying rarely stops the blackmail.
* Report any suspicious or fraudulent actions to the social media platform via the platform?s safety feature.
* Block the suspect, but do not delete your profile or messages.
* Reinforce that the victim or child is not to blame. It is the suspect blackmailer who is to blame.

For additional information, watch this video [ [link removed] ] published by the FBI Detroit Office.






Last Chance to Apply for next Lateral Entry Recruit School

Lateral Entry School

If you're a licensed police officer aiming to join the 146th Trooper Recruit School, apply today ? applications for the lateral entry school are closing on March 1st!

The lateral entry academy, scheduled to begin on May 12, is eight weeks shorter than a typical trooper recruit school, in recognition of the prior training and experience these applicants bring to the job.

To learn more about the benefits of a career with the MSP and to apply, visit Michigan.gov/MSPLateral [ [link removed] ].







Protect Your Family by Renewing Medicaid Benefits

Medicaid

Completing your Medicaid renewal paperwork and returning the information as soon as possible helps keep your family protected. Submit documents by mail or your MI Bridges account. Learn more at Michigan.gov/MIBridges. [ [link removed] ]



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Leave With A Smile
Teddy Bears

On January 19, members of the MSP Intelligence Operations Division partnered with MSU Athletics to participate in the annual Teddy Bear Toss at the Men?s Hockey Game. Members of the MSP helped collect stuffed animals that were thrown onto the ice after the first period. More than 120 stuffed animals were collected and donated to the MSP Lansing Post. Troopers will distribute these stuffed animals to children they come across while on patrol, who may be experiencing trauma such as traffic crashes and family troubles, or simply just to put a smile on their faces.






In Your Community

*Feb. 15: *MSP recruiters at Davenport University Career Fair [ [link removed] ], 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Caledonia

*Feb. 15*: MSP recruiters at Davenport University Career Fair, [ [link removed] ] 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Grand Rapids

*Feb. 15:* MSP recruiters at University of Toledo [ [link removed] ], 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

*Feb. 21:* MSP recruiters at Grand Valley State University Employer Showcase, [ [link removed] ] 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

*Feb. 22: *MSP Hiring Event [ [link removed] ], 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Bay City

*Feb. 22*: MSP recruiters at Grand Valley State University Career and Internship Fair [ [link removed] ], 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.




Join Us!
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Choose a career in public service; learn more at www.mi.gov/mspjobs [ [link removed] ]




Transparency
Transparency

Check out our Transparency and Accountability website [ [link removed] ] that provides the public with easy access to information about the administration and operation of the MSP.






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