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February 2023
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Spartan Strong

We join the rest of our state and nation in mourning the lives lost at Michigan State University and praying for those who were injured in a shooting on February 13.

We can all play a role in keeping our environments safe by reporting suspicious activity. It?s easy to be distracted during our daily routines such as going to work, school or the grocery store, but as you?re going about your day, if you see something that doesn?t seem quite right, say something.

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] ]

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State Police Employees Honored for Dedication and Service
Of the Year

Each year, the Michigan State Police (MSP) hosts a special ceremony to recognize the department?s top employees with our Trooper of the Year, Motor Carrier Officer of the Year and Civilian of the Year awards, along with other special recognition awards.

This year?s award winners are D/Sgt. Ben Mahaffie, MC. Ofcr. Joshua Koch and Ms. Hanna Friedlander.

In addition to our ?Of the Year Award? Recipients, D/Tpr. David Tasker, MSP Second District?s Metro Narcotics Enforcement Team, was honored with the Valor Award for his quick and brave actions in saving the life of team member, D/Sgt. Devin Kachar, who was ambushed while working an undercover surveillance operation. The Valor Award is the department?s highest recognition, which is only awarded in exceptional circumstances when a member risks their life in performing a hazardous duty so extraordinary that the exposure to peril is above and beyond the call of duty.?

The Community Policing Outstanding Achievement Award [ [link removed] ], which recognizes an innovative initiative developed to promote teamwork to help solve a community issue, was presented to the MSP Flint Post for the development of a Youth Basic Water Safety Swim program.?

Lastly, the Colonel Kriste Kibbe Etue Community Impact Award [ [link removed] ] was presented to Tpr. Conner Mabie of the MSP Paw Paw Post for her demonstrated leadership, commitment and personal involvement in building positive police-community relationships.?

Congratulations to all!

Read about the 2022 recipients here. [ [link removed] ]

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MSP Establishes Employee Resource Groups to Modernize Agency Culture and Better Support Employees

ERG

The Michigan State Police is proud to be among one of the first state agencies in Michigan to establish Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), as one way in which the department is modernizing its approach to attracting talent, improving employee retention, practicing inclusion and amplifying allyship for personal growth and community development. Today, within the MSP, there are six ERGs that offer MSP personnel from similar backgrounds a way to connect with each other and raise awareness throughout the agency.

?Three years ago, when we began this initiative, we were looking for a way to evolve as an agency and be more socially responsible,? said Stephanie Horton, Human Resources Director for the MSP and a member of Women Leading Change, the group dedicated to promoting equity for women within the organization. ?At the MSP, we prioritize professional development, inclusion and representation, and our ERGs highlight this commitment. We want our agency to be a place that attracts people who want to build ong-term careers here.?

The six ERGs are:


* African American
* Asian Pacific Islander American
* Diverse Abilities, which represents individuals suffering from chronic or acute conditions affecting the employment environment
* MSP P.R.I.D.E. (Professionals Respecting the Identities of Everyone)
* MSP Military Veteran
* Women Leading Change

ERGs are employee-led groups that serve as internal communities where individuals with shared identities can voluntarily gather to celebrate their common experiences and strengthen workplace culture through mentorship and educational opportunities. Ultimately, these groups provide a sense of belonging for employees, which increases workplace satisfaction, attracts talent and drives employee retention.

At MSP, each ERG is led by a chairperson and a leader from the MSP?s executive team, with oversight and guidance provided by the department?s Equity and Inclusion Officer.

?ERGs are a way of keeping employees engaged and empowering them to be a part of the decision-making process,? said Amy Bergman, president of Insight HRM (Human Resources Management), an HR consulting firm. ?ERGs are becoming more prevalent as talent acquisition and retention has become more difficult.?

Women Leading Change was the first employee-established ERG for the MSP. Its members work to break down barriers women face in policing through recruitment and retention efforts and advocating for policy change within the organization.

?The department was formed in 1917, but it wasn?t until 1967, 50 years later, when women were allowed to be troopers,? said Chelsea Deckler, Manager of the Planning, Research and Accreditation Section, and chair of the Women Leading Change ERG. ?And today, 55 years later, only 9 percent of MSP sworn enforcement members are women.

?Women have historically worn many hats, and the lack of flexibility has been a challenge for them in the field,? said Deckler. ?In our ERG, we?re focused on changing that. We host listening sessions to understand the barriers that prevent female civilians from becoming troopers, then we develop strategies to tackle those issues.?

In the last two years, Women Leading Change has held education and recruitment events. They have also held several donation drives throughout the communities they serve, as philanthropy and giving back is an important facet of the group. They also researched ways to influence policy and culture changes within the agency. And since they were the first ERG to be established, other groups are working to follow their lead.

?Establishing intersectionality between all perspectives, beliefs, values, cultures and backgrounds makes us better people and a better organization,? shared D/Sgt. Antonio Richardson, who works in the MSP Cyber Section and chairs the African American ERG. ?We wanted to create a space where we celebrate our shared humanity while welcoming everyone to bring their uniqueness to the table. That?s why this work is so important. That?s what makes employees want to devote their careers to an organization.?

The African American ERG was formed in September and held two virtual meetings in 2022 as well as one hybrid gathering just last month, where both group members and other MSP employees attended and were active in seeking deeper understanding and a desire to implement organizational change.

?We?re creating a safe space for employees to openly discuss heavy topics,? added Richardson, who believes one of the keys to mobilizing ERGs in establishing unity, understanding and workplace satisfaction is allyship. ?ERGs give everyone within the MSP a voice and a connectedness within the agency, and when they come together to support one another through allyship, their voices are elevated that much more.?

Richardson hopes more people within the MSP take initiative to create more ERGs until all the different voices within the organization are represented.


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Governor Whitmer Continues Historic Investment in Public Safety with FY24 Budget
Budget

Since Governor Gretchen Whitmer took office, the state has invested $1 billion more in public safety. On February 8, when Governor Whitmer unveiled her Fiscal Year 2024 Executive Budget Recommendation she continued this commitment to safety and security.

Included in her proposed budget are several investments benefitting the MSP and the broader public safety community, including $9 million to support the continued hiring of state troopers, as well as funding for the expansion of Michigan?s OK2SAY Program, the department?s victim advocate program, and facility and course offerings to leverage our training academy as a criminal justice training hub benefitting police officers statewide.

For all the highlights, visit Michigan.gov/Budget [ [link removed] ].

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MSP Members Visit the Wright Museum for Black History Month

BHM Work Trip

In recognition of February being Black History Month, the MSP offered our employees the opportunity to tour the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History on Thursday, Feb. 16.

Thirty members from across the state attended this day trip to learn more about the historical contributions and achievements of African Americans.

This event was sponsored by the MSP African American Employee Resource Group.


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Leave With a Smile
Super Trooper Team

You may be familiar with the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics in the warmer months, but have you heard of the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics in the winter? This month, troopers from the MSP Lakeview Post participated in the 2023 Turk Lake Polar Plunge, a fundraiser in which participants raise money by jumping into a frozen body of water.

Congratulations to Team Super Troopers, who raised over $18,000 for Special Olympics and took home the trophy as top law enforcement fundraisers.

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In Your Community

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

*Feb. 23*: MSP Recruiters at GVSU Winter Career Fair [ [link removed] ], 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

*March 2:* MSP Recruiters at NMC Career & Employment Fair [ [link removed] ], 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

*March 8:* MSP Recruiters at?UM - Flint Internship and Employment Fair, [ [link removed] ] 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

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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.

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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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