Michigan State Police (MSP) Director Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue announced that Michigan citizens will soon benefit from the services of 90 new MSP troopers following the graduation of the 124th Trooper Recruit School. Governor Rick Snyder served as the keynote speaker at this the ceremony.
“The graduates of the 124th Michigan State Police Trooper Recruit School will play a critical role in public safety for our state, helping make communities and neighborhoods safer for our families and our economic vitality,” Gov. Rick Snyder said. “These new troopers should all be proud of their accomplishments in proving they have what it takes to enter this elite force. On behalf of Michiganders, thank you for your commitment, dedication and professionalism in service to our great state. We owe you a debt of gratitude, and wish you all long, safe, and rewarding careers.”
Funding made available as part of Governor Snyder’s public safety plan allowed for the hiring of 180 troopers in FY13, which includes this graduating class and the 78 troopers who graduated from the 123rd Trooper Recruit School in October 2012. These additional troopers will help support law enforcement efforts in the state’s most violent cities of Flint, Detroit, Pontiac and Saginaw, as well as underserved communities throughout the state.
“To accept the honor of becoming a trooper is to also embrace and recognize the department’s proud traditions and high standards of service through excellence, integrity and courtesy,” said Etue, during her address to the recruits. “You have a mission to serve and protect because policing is a duty of the highest honor—with the highest responsibilities, the highest visibility and some of the greatest challenges. The department demands and the public deserves nothing less than your best every day.”
“With this graduation, not only do these recruits become troopers, they and their families are now members of our Michigan State Police family and part of a 96-year proud tradition,” added Etue.
Tpr. Christopher Phillips, who was elected Class Orator by his fellow recruits, spoke on behalf of the graduating class before receiving the Team Building Award. Other award winners included Tpr. Gideon Paetz who received the Marksmanship Award, Tpr. Scott Josephs who received the Academic Achievement Award and Tpr. Brian Russell who received the Outstanding Performance Award.
The 124th Trooper Recruit School began on October 28, 2012, when 114 prospective troopers reported to the MSP Training Academy. For the past 22 weeks, recruits received training in firearms, water safety, defensive tactics, patrol techniques, report writing, ethics, first aid, criminal law, crime scene processing and precision driving. Graduating recruits were assigned to MSP work sites across the state and will report to their respective posts for duty next week
Of the 90 graduating recruits, 78 have continued their education with college studies, 16 have served in the United States Military and 12 have prior law enforcement experience.
The department solicited over 2,000 potential candidates for the 124th Trooper Recruit School. Sgt. Kevin Rod was the Recruit School Commander. Special emphasis was given to recruiting military veterans and certified police officers without employment. In order to be selected to attend the academy, all applicants had to pass a stringent selection process that included a physical fitness test, background investigation and hiring interview.
The 125th Trooper Recruit School is set to begin May 12, 2013, and an additional trooper recruit school is anticipated in early 2014. Interested candidates should visit www.michigan.gov/mspjobs
––––––––––––––––––––
Subscribe to the Legal News!
https://legalnews.com/Home/Subscription
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available
