December 2, 2004
LANSING.
Michigan will soon benefit from the services of 89 additional Michigan State Police (MSP) troopers after the 120th Trooper Recruit School graduated today at a ceremony held in Lansing.
"Today, each graduate pledges to preserve, protect and defend the great state of Michigan and its citizens; a commitment no police officer can ever take lightly," stated Colonel Tadarial J. Sturdivant, director of the MSP. "These outstanding men and women represent the future of the Michigan State Police and our lasting commitment to public safety in Michigan."
The 120th Trooper Recruit School began on July 18, when 110 recruits reported to the MSP Training Academy in Lansing. Over a 20-week period, the recruits received training in firearms, water safety, defensive tactics, patrol techniques, report writing, ethics in law enforcement, first aid, criminal law, crime scene processing and precision driving. Graduating recruits will be assigned to work sites across the state and will report for duty beginning Dec. 5.
"The members of the 120th Trooper Recruit School have worked extremely hard to complete this training program and their commitment is evident as each recruit has faced individual challenges during the school," Sturdivant stated. "I am honored to welcome such a hard working group of troopers into the department."
Of the 89 graduating recruits, 34 have college degrees, 15 have served in the United States military, and 30 have prior law enforcement experience at the federal, county or local level. Seventy-nine of the graduating recruits are male and 10 are female.
The graduates were addressed by keynote speaker, Willie T. Hulon, Acting Assistant Director of the FBI Counterterrorism Division in Washington D.C. During the ceremony, Trooper Craig Theodore, elected Class Orator by his fellow recruits and assigned to the South Haven Post, spoke on behalf of the graduating class before receiving the Team Building Award. Also during the ceremony, Trooper Craig Ziecina, assigned to the Ypsilanti Post, received the Marksmanship Award; Trooper Jeremiah Carlisle, assigned to the White Pigeon Post, received the Academic Achievement Award; and Trooper Carissa Schneider, assigned to the Lansing Post, received the Outstanding Performance Award.
This is the first MSP trooper recruit school held since 2001. With the addition of these troopers, MSP has 1,095 at-post troopers statewide.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Ms. Nancy Shaffer, Training Division, (517) 322-6319
For a picture or interview with an individual recruit contact his or her post assignment location.
Michigan State Police
120th Trooper Recruit School
Graduating Class
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