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




*December 2024*






Happy Holidays




State Agencies Partner to Better Serve Residents

Safety Net Group Photo

In an exciting collaboration aimed at helping Michiganders in times of need, the Michigan State Police and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) have launched the Safety Net Partnership [ [link removed] ]. This innovative program empowers MSP troopers to provide immediate assistance to individuals they encounter during patrols who have urgent needs.

Troopers will now carry pre-paid Visa and Mastercard gift cards to distribute in situations where there is a clear and apparent need. These cards can help cover essential items like groceries, diapers, formula, gas or car repairs.  Additionally, troopers are equipped with supplies such as child car seats, portable cribs, diapers, adult briefs and cold-weather gear.  They also provide information to connect people with a number of long-term assistance programs offered by MDHHS.

This initiative is funded by MDHHS’s Emergency Services budget, with $72,000 allocated annually.







Intertwining Service, Remembrance and the Spirit of the Season with Wreaths Across America

Wreath

Every December a holiday staple makes a humbling statement at national and state cemeteries across the country: live wreaths adorned with bright red bows are laid at veterans’ graves.

“It’s almost indescribable,” says Sgt. Tracey Smith, assigned to the Michigan State Police (MSP) Paw Paw Post. “Once you see it, you understand why this is so meaningful.”

The effort, now known as Wreaths Across America [ [link removed] ], began in 1992 with a Maine business [ [link removed] ] looking to pay forward its surplus of holiday wreaths. The owner’s boyhood experience at Arlington National Cemetery was the connection leading to a now annual tradition honoring our veterans. That first time, the donated wreaths were placed at Arlington in one of the older sections receiving fewer visitors.

Today, Wreaths Across America has grown to include more than 4,600 cemeteries in all 50 states, and internationally, including Michigan’s two largest, federally maintained national cemeteries – Great Lakes in Holly and Fort Custer in Augusta.

“My father was buried at Great Lakes National Cemetery in 2017,” said Motor Carrier Insp. Pat Morris, assigned to the MSP Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division. “I’m a veteran and when I became familiar with Wreaths Across America, I knew our members would benefit from volunteering. Our first year it was me, my wife and a retired lieutenant.”

Since then, Inspector Morris has involved others in the department, and invited members of MSP’s Military Veteran Employee Resource Group (ERG) to participate.

“My wife and I would honor our family interned at Fort Custer National Cemetery, but I didn’t know anything about Wreaths Across America until Inspector Morris asked me to organize MSP participation at Fort Custer,” said MC Sgt. Scott Morrison, assigned to the MSP Marshall Post. “I’m also a veteran and now take part in the opening ceremony as the first responder designee.”

Volunteers ensure the act of kindness is unending just like the circles of greenery they place.

MC Sergeant Morrison spread the word about this impactful program at his worksite, which led to Sergeant Smith, a member of the United States Marine Corps Reserve, to attend the ceremony and assist with laying wreaths.

“It’s mid-December and inevitably cold, and that makes it special too,” said Sergeant Smith. “You’re a little bit uncomfortable but nothing compared to what our veterans sacrificed. I have family at Fort Custer, too and would want someone to be there to honor them if I couldn’t.”

Remember the fallen. Honor those who serve. Teach the next generation the value of freedom. That is the mission. Wreaths are provided through sponsorships and donations, with the work of placing the wreaths done by volunteers like those from the State Police and its Military Veteran ERG.

“We’re there to serve the veterans and their families, to honor what they stand for and gave to us,” said MC Insp. Pat Morris.  “We serve warm drinks, escort vehicles in and lay wreaths. The goal is to have every gravesite covered and remembered.”







Tips for Driving Safely on Icy, Snowy, and Slushy Roads

Drive Slow on Ice and Snow

There were 30,786 crashes during the winter of 2022–2023, including 59 fatal crashes.

To encourage safe-driving habits while traveling during the winter months, keep these safety tips to keep in mind:


* Drive slow on ice and snow [ [link removed] ]. It can take up to 10 times longer to stop your vehicle on snowy and/or icy roads.  Slow down and allow more room between your vehicle and the one ahead of you.  This gives you more time to react and brake, reducing your crash risk.
* Be prepared [ [link removed] ] by taking time to winterize your vehicle and stock it with emergency supplies.
* Routinely check your tire pressure and examine the tread on your tires for wear. Use the penny test [ [link removed] ] to check your tread.
* Drive safely near snowplows. If you can’t see the snowplow’s mirrors, the driver can’t see you.  A new Michigan law requires drivers following a snowplow to stay at least 200 feet away.  It also states that motorists cannot stop within 20 feet of a snowplow at an intersection.
* Know how to handle winter-driving emergencies [ [link removed] ] should you find yourself stopped or stalled on the road. Stay in your vehicle with your seatbelt on and call 911 or a roadside service like AAA.  Make yourself visible to other motorists by turning on your hazard lights.

Visit the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning’s winter-driving webpage [ [link removed] ] for more safety tips and information.







New Autism Awareness Stickers Available at MSP Posts

Autism Sticker

Traffic stops can be particularly challenging for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. To promote awareness and improve interactions between law enforcement and drivers or passengers with autism, the MSP is offering specially designed vehicle stickers.

These stickers are intended to be placed on the left side of the back window of your vehicle, serving as a helpful alert for law enforcement officers.

Persons who wish to receive a sticker can visit their nearest MSP Post [ [link removed] ] Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (excluding holidays), while supplies last.







MSP Marks 50 Years of Putting Patrol Vehicles to the Test

Vehicle testing

Which police vehicle can go zero to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds? What patrol vehicle can go from 60 mph to zero in 128.16 feet?  These are just a couple of the highly technical tests the staff of the Michigan State Police (MSP) Precision Driving Unit (PDU) perform annually in their internationally recognized Police Vehicle Evaluation.

MSP patrol vehicles, affectionately referred to as the “Blue Goose,” have become synonymous with policing in Michigan and are recognized across North America due in part to their blue color and bright red “gumball beacon -- an assurance that help is on the way. Before a patrol vehicle becomes a Blue Goose, each vehicle must pass a rigorous testing procedure and purchasing specifications set forth by the PDU. 

“The MSP began testing patrol cars in the 1950s,” said Lt. Nick Darlington, PDU commander. “At that time, quotes were requested from manufacturers and only the vehicle with the lowest quote was tested to see if it met the department’s purchasing requirements. In 1974, the quotes received from manufacturers were only four dollars apart and it was at that point the MSP decided to test all vehicles on the market to see how they performed.”

Since that time, each fall, the MSP vehicle test team puts police model cars, motorcycles, pickup trucks and SUVs from different manufacturers through a variety of road tests to compile comparable data on performance, acceleration, braking and vehicle dynamics. Off-course, these vehicles are analyzed for ergonomics, radio frequency interference, ease of outfit and fuel economy. The data the MSP team compiles is then published for use by police fleet managers and purchasing agents nationwide to use when making procurement decisions for their agencies.

The MSP only tests vehicles built for police use by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), as these vehicles are engineered to repetitively stop in a shorter distance, accelerate faster and handle better than the base platform model. Modifications to engines, cooling systems, transmissions and shifting parameters, brakes, tires, stability control programming and other changes may be included as part of the OEM’s police package. 

This September, the PDU conducted their annual Police Vehicle Evaluation for model year 2025, testing eight SUVs, three pick-up trucks and three motorcycles.

The first portion of the test was conducted at the Chelsea Proving Grounds in Chelsea, Mich. The proving grounds offers the ability to conduct acceleration/top speed and brake testing on their 4.7-mile oval.

Ergonomics evaluations are then conducted on the eight-mile closed loop, where four to six evaluators follow the eight-mile course consisting of a variety of different road terrains that allow them to record the overall comforts of the vehicle, in addition to ease of communications upfit.

Brake testing consists of 10 consecutive 60-0 mph full anti-lock braking system (ABS) stops. The vehicle is then driven around the 4.7-mile oval for a cool down lap and the test is repeated. The overall average of the 20 stops is the deceleration rate and stopping distance recorded for the test.

Acceleration/top speed testing consists of a total of four acceleration runs collecting total times from 0-60 mph, 0-80 mph and 0-100 mph, and finally the total distance to 120 mph.

The final portion of testing was conducted at Grattan Raceway in Belding, Mich. Grattan Raceway is a two-mile road course consisting of 10 turns with numerous elevation changes and a 3,200-foot straightaway. Here is where the dynamic testing occurs that measures the overall handling, capability and durability of each vehicle to ensure the vehicle can withstand the rigors of police use. Dynamics testing consists of four evaluators who drive each vehicle on eight timed laps. Each vehicle must complete the 32 evaluated laps without experiencing any major mechanical failure. The overall average lap time is what is recorded in the final report.

“The vehicles tested this year were largely the same vehicles as the previous year,” explained Lieutenant Darlington. “Most notably from this year continues to be the consistency of the vehicles tested in terms of performance, ranging from large to small SUVs and pickup trucks. The OEMs participating in this year’s test have developed a diverse variety of platforms for fleet managers to choose from that will ensure each agency’s specific needs are met when considering police vehicles for their fleet.”

For more information, including preliminary results from the 2025 Police Vehicle Evaluation, visit our Police Vehicle Test webpage [ [link removed] ].







Leave With A Smile
Stuff a Blue Goose [ [link removed] ]

“Giving back to our communities is at the heart of what we do.

With your generous donations, Michigan State Troopers collected 12,576 toys, 4,833 lbs. of non-perishable food and more than $50,000 to benefit Michiganders in need.

Thank you for sharing the spirit of giving.”

- Col. James F. Grady II, MSP director






In Your Community

We look forward to seeing you at events in 2025!




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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