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Please join us in congratulating the handlers and canines who graduated from the 2025 Basic Canine School on Friday, July 18.
During the Basic Canine School, which is a 14-week intense training program conducted in-house by veteran MSP Canine Unit members, these handlers received more than 500 hours of instruction, and together with their canine partner covered more than 100 miles on foot as they received training in various disciplines including tracking, narcotics detection, building search, area search, property search, obedience and aggression.
56th Basic School:
- Luke Shafer & Koda, Tri-City Post
- Brendan Gute & Deke, Cadillac Post
- Michael Clemons & Ruze, Lakeview Post,
- Austin Taylor & Kilo, Alpena Post
Replacement School:
- Adam Whited & Fenrir, Houghton Lake Post
- Dieter Kochan & Roy, Calumet Post
- Benjamin Sonstrom & Zorro, Second District Headquarters
Including these new handlers, the MSP has 42 canine teams strategically placed throughout the state who answer calls for service 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Collectively, the unit has 61 canines and handles more than 6,100 requests for service annually, making it one of the largest and busiest in the country.
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 The Michigan State Police will host a one-stop Employment Day on Saturday, Sept. 20, at Mumford High School in Detroit from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event provides a final opportunity to apply for the upcoming recruit schools beginning in January 2026.
During Employment Day, participants can complete several steps of the hiring process in a single day, including:
- Application assistance
- Baseline fitness testing
- National Testing Network Entry-Level Law Enforcement Exam
- Preliminary criminal history check
- Hiring interview
Space is limited to 300 applicants, and an RSVP is required to attend.
For more information about a career with the MSP, visit www.michigan.gov/mspjobs.
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Last month, Sgt. Cole Martin and Tpr. Brandon Franklin of the MSP Aviation Unit received the 2025 FLIR Vision Life Saver Award for their role in assisting the Blackman Leoni Department of Public Safety in locating a missing toddler and bringing them home safely back in April.
The award was presented at the Airborne Public Safety Association conference in Phoenix.
The FLIR Vision Awards are given to members of the airborne law enforcement community who have best demonstrated use of thermal imaging systems in carrying out their missions, whether conducting search and rescue efforts, pursuing suspects or saving lives in other ways.
Watch this video to learn more about the awarded incident.
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Labor Day weekend is a time for backyard barbecues, beach trips and saying goodbye to summer. But it’s also one of the most dangerous times on Michigan roads due to impaired driving. From 2019 to 2024, Michigan saw 44 driver fatalities in traffic crashes during the Labor Day holiday period. Alarmingly, 43.2% of those drivers were impaired by alcohol and/or drugs.
To help keep our roads safe, Michigan law enforcement agencies will partner together in the federally funded Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over statewide impaired driving crackdown from August 15 through September 1.
If your plans include alcohol or anything that could impair your ability to drive, make a plan before you go out. Motorists are urged to drive sober, designate a sober driver or use a ride-sharing service to ensure everyone gets home safely.
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As crime and technology evolve, so do the investigative tools used by law enforcement to investigate crimes.
The majority of crimes today include an element of technology, such as a cell phone or computer. Cell phone record analysis, used as part of the search warrant process, is a valuable investigative tool particularly in major and violent crimes.
A $1 million investment proposed in Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Executive Budget for Fiscal Year 2026 would add one dedicated civilian analyst in each MSP district with the capability to support local, federal and tribal law enforcement agencies with this important investigative capability.
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In 2024, Michigan’s confidential student safety tipline, reported a 20% surge in tip volume compared to the previous year, according to the program’s 2024 Annual Report. With an unprecedented 11,671 tips received, the program has reached its highest reporting level since its inception in 2014, underscoring the vital role it plays in safeguarding Michigan’s youth.
The 2024 OK2SAY Annual Report shows the program received tips spanning 25 categories, with the top five types of tips being:
- Bullying – 2,005 tips • Suicide – 1,608 tips • Other (e.g., anxiety, stress. depression, harassment) – 1,376 tips • Drugs – 1,301 tips • Sexual assault/misconduct /exploitation – 1,059 tips
Anyone can report tips on criminal activities or potential harm directed at students, school employees or schools. Tips can be submitted 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in the following ways:
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Thanks to everyone for voting for our Blue Goose in the American Association of State Troopers (AAST) Best Looking Cruiser Contest!
The MSP came in 2nd place and will be featured in the 2026 calendar, which can be pre-ordered today at statetroopers.org. Calendars will be printed and begin shipping in October.
Calendar sales benefit the AAST Foundation, which provides educational scholarships to dependents of member troopers.
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In southwest Michigan, one family’s dedication to public service stands out – with three relatives serving in three different law enforcement departments across Allegan County.
Tpr. Luke Greydanus with the Wayland Post has the unique opportunity to serve alongside his brother and father, albeit in different uniforms. His brother, Matthew, is a deputy with the Allegan County Sheriff’s Department. And his father, Dave, who retired as an inspector with the MSP in 2015, now serves with the Douglas Police Department.
“After high school, I wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to do with my life,” said Trooper Greydanus. “I became a gold miner, running heavy equipment in Alaska for two years, but decided I didn’t want to spend my whole life doing that. I decided I wanted to pursue a career in law enforcement, and there was no other agency I could see myself being a part of.”
Trooper Greydanus joined the MSP in January 2018 as part of the 134th Trooper Recruit School. He was first assigned to the Grand Rapids Post and then transferred to the Wayland Post in early 2025.
The law enforcement profession was not unfamiliar to Trooper Greydanus and his brother when they were kids. Their father, Inspector Greydanus, Ret., included them in the MSP culture at a young age, including being involved in community parades and even learning how to ride their bikes at the Training Academy drive track.
“I am very proud to see that my sons have chosen a career in law enforcement and that they want to have a positive impact in their communities,” said Inspector Greydanus, Ret. “I thoroughly enjoyed my career as a police officer, and it is exciting to hear their stories and the impact they are having. So many people have told me that they have had contact with either Luke or Matthew and have shared with me what a positive experience it was. That means a lot to me.”
Within the 825.3 square miles of Allegan County, it’s not uncommon for there to be more than one Greydanus arriving on scene.
“While patrolling on the west side of Allegan County my backup is often an Allegan County deputy, which has resulted in Matthew arriving on scene on several occasions,” said Trooper Greydanus. “He is an excellent police officer, and I know if he responds we can handle the situation.”
Deputy Greydanus has been with the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office since January of 2023.
“Being able to work alongside family is a true blessing and not a lot of people have that opportunity,” said Deputy Greydanus.
While each of the Greydanus officers may wear a different uniform, their mission to serve and protect remains the same.
“I appreciate that although they work for different agencies, they work together to solve problems and address issues,” said Inspector Greydanus, Ret. “By working together and sharing resources great things can be accomplished.”
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When Ashley Hernandez experienced grief in 2021, she found comfort and healing learning about the grieving process and helping others, especially children. She found a sense of community at STAR Children’s Bereavement Services in Marquette and took on a leadership role soon after.
Hernandez, an administrative assistant at the Michigan State Police (MSP) Negaunee Post, even found a way to involve her coworkers who now provide support and mentorship during CAMP STAR, a free, weekend-long grief camp for kids who have lost a parent, sibling, friend, or loved one.
“We offer a truly unique blend of traditional outdoor fun and meaningful grief education,” said Hernandez. “Everyone needs help processing loss in healthy and constructive ways and that’s what we aim to teach. We want our children to feel accepted, not alone, and to have fun without feeling guilty.”
Camp STAR 2025 was held last weekend at Bay Cliff Health Camp in Big Bay. Seventeen attendees aged 8-17 stayed on-site participating in activities facilitated by caring, trained professionals, and volunteers. Each camper was assigned a buddy, a mentor who provided one-on-one companionship throughout the weekend. Through the activities and buddy relationship, the children learned skills to share and remember the person that was lost.
More than 50 family members and friends came to the closing memorial service which Hernandez described as “magical.”
“Managing and volunteering at Camp STAR was a huge step in my own healing process,” said Hernandez. “I have loved every minute of it and foresee many years of grief service in my future.”
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 Sergeant Little of the MSP Paw Paw Post learned from a mutual friend that 8-year-old Malachi, an aspiring police officer, was having a tough time and wanted birthday wishes. In coordination with Malachi’s mom, Michigan State Troopers and officers from the Portage Police Department surprised Malachi for his birthday, by arriving with lights activated, giving his siblings patrol car tours, handing out swag, answering questions and posing for photos!
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Aug. 18: Baseline Fitness Test – Oak Park, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Aug. 21: MSP Hiring Event – Benton Harbor, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Aug. 23: Basketball Cop Event – Detroit, noon to 3 p.m.
Aug. 24: MSP recruiters at GVSU Campus Night Life, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Aug. 26: MSP recruiters at LCC Non-Profit and Government Career Fair, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Aug. 28: MSP Hiring Event – Gaylord, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Aug. 31: Baseline Fitness Test – Lansing, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Sept. 3: MSP recruiters at Chaldean Community Fall Career Fair, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Sept. 3: MSP Hiring Webinar - Your Career Starts Here, 6 p.m., Virtual
Sept. 4: MSP recruiters at MSU Local Job and Internship Fair, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Sept. 13: Basketball Cop Event – Inkster, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
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