December 27, 2010 - 122nd Trooper Recruit School Begins; Hometown Heroes Prepare for State Police Careers

Contact: Sgt. Kevin Rod, (517) 322-6349

Agency: State Police

LANSING. Yesterday, 38 prospective troopers reported to the Michigan State Police (MSP) Training Academy in Lansing for the first day of the 122nd Trooper Recruit School.  This is the first class held since 83 members of the 121st Trooper Recruit School graduated on Dec. 19, 2008.

"The arrival of a recruit school is an exciting time for the department," noted Col. Eddie L. Washington, Jr., director of the MSP.  "It is our sincere hope these recruits will meet the challenges of the next 20 weeks with success and join the ranks of the proud men and women of the Michigan State Police who serve with excellence, integrity and courtesy, shoulder to shoulder with public safety professionals across the state."

For the next 20 weeks, between wake-up at 5 a.m. and lights-out at 10 p.m., the recruits will receive training in firearms, water safety, defensive tactics, patrol techniques, report writing, ethics, first aid, criminal law, crime scene processing and precision driving.  Current MSP members and academy staff, including a school commander, assistant commander and 10 troopers from across the state assigned to the MSP Training Academy on a temporary basis will provide the instruction.

Because the school is a residential program, the recruits are only allowed to leave the MSP Training Academy from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon.  Recruits who successfully complete the training will graduate on Friday, May 13, 2011, at which time they will be assigned to work sites across the state. 

The department solicited over 800 potential candidates for the 122nd Trooper Recruit School. 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.

As of Nov. 13, there were 954 at-post troopers stationed at 62 posts across Michigan.

122nd Trooper Recruit School Participants:

NOTE: The media is invited to spend a day in the life of an MSP trooper recruit.  For the full recruit school experience, reporters are encouraged to spend the night at the MSP Training Academy and rise with the recruits at 5:30 a.m.  Meals and lodging will be provided.  To make visiting arrangements, please call F/Lt. Michael A. Krumm at (517) 322-5596.  

To learn more about a career as an MSP trooper, visit www.michigan.gov/mspjobs.