Michigan State Police [ [link removed] ]

"*News Release*"



*       State Police Offers School Safety Academy, Introduces Youth *
*              Summits to Strengthen Violence Prevention Efforts*

"  New Summits to Provide Students with Critical Resources and Training"

*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                                                          April 22, 2025*

*LANSING, MICH.* The Michigan State Police (MSP) today announced its School Safety Academy [ [link removed] ], an initiative designed to provide educators and other school personnel with essential resources and instruction on school safety, will return for a second year with the addition of Advanced School Safety Academies. Also, new this year, to supplement the program, the MSP is launching Youth Violence Prevention Summits, a series of interactive one-day sessions focused on empowering young people with knowledge and skills, as well as gaining their feedback, on ways to recognize and prevent violence.

"The safety and well-being of Michigan’s students and school personnel are our highest priorities," said Col. James F. Grady II, director of the Michigan State Police. "We believe that education and preparedness are our strongest defenses against violence in schools. By working together—students, educators and law enforcement alike—we can create a safe, supportive environment where every child can focus on learning and every educator can focus on teaching.”

Last year’s first-ever School Safety Academy program, organized by the MSP Office of School Safety, engaged with over 800 personnel in six sessions around the state. The 2025 School Safety Academy will offer sessions across the state, with the first one occurring on April 29 and 30 in Warren. The free, two-day academy includes information on topics such as emergency planning, mental health and resiliency, safety training, suicide prevention and first aid.

The new Youth Violence Prevention Summits will serve as an extension of these efforts, offering students the opportunity to interact with law enforcement, mental health professionals and others for student-focused discussions on violence prevention, digital safety, mental health and preparedness.

“The MSP Office of School Safety has proven to be a leader in developing and implementing essential school safety resources,” said Dr. Daveda Colbert, Superintendent of Wayne Regional Educational Service Agency. “The upcoming youth summits and school safety academies are further demonstration of the agency’s dedication to innovation and leadership in this area.”

The School Safety Academy is open to K-12 school administrators, school safety liaisons, mental health professionals and school resource officers. Registration can be completed online at

[link removed]. Attendance at the Youth Violence Prevention Summits is by invitation and students are selected by their school.  

Funding for both programs comes from an FY23 appropriation to the School Safety and Mental Health Commission.

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*About the MSP Office of School Safety:* The Office of School Safety is part of the MSP Grants and Community Services Division. The OSS is committed to delivering quality services to schools that promote safe and secure learning environments to reduce threats, build trust and improve the quality of life for K-12 students. Created under the authority of Public Act 435 of 2018, the OSS works in partnership with the Michigan Department of Education.

*Media Availability:* Col. James F. Grady II is available for media interviews to speak about this initiative on April 24 from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. To secure a 10-minute virtual interview, please contact Shanon Banner at [email protected].


* School Safety Academy_Youth Engagement Press Release.pdf [ [link removed] ]
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