top [ [link removed] ]lower [ www.michigan.gov/msp ]

December 2022
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Happy Holidays!
Holiday video [ [link removed] ]

It?s the season of giving and we couldn?t do it without you. For all of those who stopped by a Stuff a Blue Goose event, donated items or visited MSP posts for holiday events across the state, we thank you!

May you have a very happy and safe holiday!

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MSP Opens Post in Traverse City

The MSP is excited to announce the opening of the Traverse City Post at ?218 W. Fourteenth Street to serve Benzie, Leelanau and Grand Traverse counties.

Since October 2011, this location has operated as a detachment of the Cadillac Post, which meant that some troopers started and ended their shifts at the building and used the facility to accomplish administrative tasks and meet with the public by appointment, but the lobby was not open and staffed.

The Traverse City Post will open to the public on January 9, 2023.

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Cadet Program Grows as MSP Seeks More Troopers

Cadet on TRS Graduation

Looking to infuse its ranks with young and diverse talent, the Michigan State Police (MSP) has more than quadrupled its cadet positions while also lowering the age requirement for the popular program that gives young Michiganders a paid opportunity to explore what it?s like to be a trooper.

In past years, applicants had to be at least 19 years old and enrolled in college to be eligible for the MSP Cadet Program. The age requirement is now 18, and these positions are open to high school students for the first time.

F/Lt. Duane Zook, who oversees the Cadet Program and other recruiting efforts at the MSP, said traditionally we have had a dozen or so cadets at a time, but the program was recently expanded to 90 positions across the state. ?It?s a great opportunity for young individuals interested in a career with the MSP,? he said. ?Working as a cadet you?re able to make money and experience every aspect of the job. It?s a great place to work.?

After a five-day paid residential training program, cadets are assigned to posts or worksites near where they live, and they get hands-on experience in policing. They join patrols and write reports. They learn about legal statutes and attend criminal investigations.

The Cadet Program serves an important purpose because it engages youth in the time before they are 21 years of age, which is the age requirement to apply for trooper recruit school. The program is also structured in such a way as to prepare them for the next step on the path to becoming a trooper: Trooper Recruit School, otherwise known as ?the academy.?

?Working as a cadet helped me see that my goal of becoming a trooper was achievable and it taught me the steps I needed to follow to make it through the academy,? said Tpr. Logan VanElls, 21, of Fowler, a former cadet.

?The great thing about the MSP Cadet Program is you get real applied experience and you receive a paycheck,? he said, ?so I was able to pay for my college tuition through the program.?

High school and college cadets are paid a starting rate of $16.24 an hour, with opportunities for pay increases every year, and a higher starting rate for graduate students.

F/Lieutenant Zook credits his MSP career to the cadet program and a criminal justice teacher who introduced him to it more than 20 years ago, D/Sgt. James ?Jim? Martemucci, Ret.

?It was our first day of the semester and he looked me straight in the eye and welcomed me into his class with a big smile and a firm handshake. I was a kid from Battle Creek, no teacher ever greeted me and shook my hand like that before,? said F/Lieutenant Zook. ?His demeanor assured me that this was the professional route I wanted to take.?

Now F/Lieutenant Zook is inspiring a new generation of cadets and troopers, like Trooper VanElls.

?I can?t think of anything else that would better help prepare you for being a trooper than being a cadet,? the new trooper said.

Those interested in becoming a trooper or working for the MSP are encouraged to apply to become a cadet by completing the online application: [link removed]


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Achievements from 2020 ? 2022

As 2022 comes to a close, so too does the MSP?s three-year Strategic Direction that outlines the department?s key focus areas from 2020 through 2022.? Check out this _video [ [link removed] ]_ that highlights many of the initiatives we have accomplished as a department over the last three years.?

Achievements graphic [ [link removed] ]________________________________________________________________________

Training Division Facility Updates Underway

Training academy

With recent efforts to refresh and improve the training our members receive, we?re also making physical updates to the Michigan State Police Training Academy building and outlying facilities in Dimondale.

?Starting with the main entrance itself, you will notice a difference,? said Capt. James Grady, commander of the Training Division. ?We wanted to ensure the building was easily accessible to everyone, so we now have a ramp at our main entrance, as well as new entry stairs.?

An aesthetically pleasing partition was added to separate the walkway and steps near the lower half of the area as well.

?We teach that first impressions matter,? said Captain Grady. ?We think our new entrance reflects that.?

The entrance project was funded by the Michigan Department of Technology Management & Budget (DTMB), which owns the building, while the MSP committed funding for numerous other improvements.

Inside the Training Academy, the gym has seen a major overhaul with new workout equipment and an improved layout to better utilize the space. There are four new weightlifting rigs for a total of 24 lifting stations complete with bars, plates, dumbbells and additional cardio equipment.

?This allows staff to develop more functional training which better prepares probationary troopers for the demands of the job,? said Sgt. Brian Kinaschuk with the Wellness and First Aid Unit.? ?We teach proper lifting techniques and can assist with developing personalized strength and conditioning programs. There?s also an element of injury rehab with the new setup. Trainers have more resources to get people back to 100 percent.?

Resurfacing and enhancing the drive track at the Precision Driving Unit was a priority that was completed this year.? The enhancements include a completely redesigned skid pad with underground water storage, a reclamation tank and an agricultural well.? The newly designed skid pad enhances the training experience for skid control, as well as providing a more sustainable and efficient means of maintaining surface coverage.

?Although the layout of the track remains unchanged, revisions were made to increase the safety of our staff and students during training,? said Lt. Nick Darlington with the Precision Driving Unit. ?These changes include the regrading of shoulders and ditch lines, and the addition of gravel traps which prevent tripping hazards should an off-road excursion occur. For added safety, we?re also in the process of constructing tire walls in strategic portions of the track.?

The lighting portion of the project is on hold until spring. When done in June 2023, it will include eight stadium lights and new fixtures on the north and south sides of the cone and skid pads. The added lights will allow staff to provide more training throughout the year and into evening hours.

In the future, the department could add its own outdoor shooting range near the Training Academy off Davis Highway near Canal Road.

?Having our own outdoor range would be much more efficient for our members and recruit classes, which currently have to travel to Barry County for long gun training,? said F/Lt. Tim Olson, commander of the Recruit Training Section.? ?We could save approximately 40 hours of travel time for every Trooper Recruit School and offer more firearms and in-service opportunities to our members.?

The proposed outdoor range includes two 50-yard pistol ranges, a 100-yard rifle range, and a 360-degree range with room for expansion, a classroom building and live fire ballistic shoot house.

?We are constantly assessing how to enhance, improve and modernize training for our members and policing partners while and also remaining competitive in today?s employment environment,? said Captain Grady.


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DEC Program Offering Free Training Webinars

The Michigan Alliance for Drug Endangered Children (DEC) program provides support to children exposed to opioids and other drugs by their caregivers. The DEC also offers resources for partners to provide training and technical assistance for communities implementing the DEC approach.

The DEC is offering upcoming, free webinars:


* Jan. 5, 1 to 3 p.m. ? ?DEC Approach:? Learn how to work collaboratively with partners to better serve families affected by substance misuse
* Jan. 30, Feb. 1, 3, 6, 8 & 10, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. ? ?Train-the-Trainer:? Get certified to present DEC Awareness and DEC Approach trainings in your community

To register for a training webinar, visit [link removed] or contact [email protected].

To learn more about the Michigan DEC, visit bit.ly/3WiNV9O [ [link removed] ].

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Leave With a Smile
Leave with a smile

On Thursday, November 30, troopers from the State Troopers Outreach Program (STOP) and the St. Ignace and Gaylord posts, fulfilled a Christmas wish for 9-year-old Summer Lahaie, who has a terminal illness. Summer?s Christmas wish was to participate in Shop with a Hero with state troopers, specifically to purchase a MacBook for schoolwork and gaming. Troopers, being troopers, made her wishes come true by giving her a police escort to Walmart, where they shopped with her, had a pizza party, wrapped presents and gifted her a MacBook!

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In Your Community

We'll be at a community event near you soon!

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Join Us!
recruiting [ www.michigan.gov/mspjobs ]

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

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Keep Michigan Safe

michtip [ www.michigan.gov/michtip ]

If you see something suspicious and it?s an emergency, immediately call 9-1-1. For non-emergencies, suspicious activity can be reported to the MSP Michigan Intelligence Operations Center by phone at 1-855-MICH-TIP (855-642-4847) or online at michigan.gov/michtip [ [link removed] ], or via our mobile app [ [link removed] ].

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Contact Us
epps [ www.michigan.gov/mspposts ]

Find your nearest MSP post at www.mi.gov/mspposts.

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Download MSP Mobile

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MSP Mobile, a free mobile app, allows users to follow the MSP post that covers their area to receive breaking news and information.

apple [ [link removed] ]

google [ [link removed] ]
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Stop the Silence. Help End the Violence.
ok2say

Do you have a tip on criminal activities or potential harm directed at students, school employees or schools? Report tips confidentially today at OK2SAY.com [ [link removed] ].




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