The Michigan State Police (MSP) Metro South Post unveiled the newest member of their team, a unique 10-foot inflatable bulldog called the WalkAround® Trooper, at the Downriver Cruise on June 30.  The WalkAround® Trooper is made possible by a contribution from Waste Management of Michigan.

The friendly "big dog" is expected to appear at the Michigan State Fair, the Wayne County Fair and other community-sponsored events throughout Wayne County.

The WalkAround® Trooper is designed to help MSP troopers interact with children, kindergarten through sixth grade, to teach personal safety lessons such as drug abuse, school violence, emergency preparedness, as well as bicycle, fire and gun safety.

The inflatable bulldog costume is a customized MSP trooper uniform and is worn by an MSP trooper from the Teaching, Educating And Mentoring (T.E.A.M.) School Liaison Project.  

"WalkAround Trooper is a compelling way to reach younger children to teach them important safety lessons," said Tpr. Matt Woodruff of the MSP Metro South Post. "The Michigan State Police would like to thank Waste Management for helping make WalkAround Trooper a reality."

"Waste Management is thankful to have an opportunity to support law enforcement through a program like WalkAround Trooper," said Tom Horton, government affairs director for Waste Management of Michigan. 

"Waste Management prides itself on safety and is glad to support something that will help teach young people about safety and handling emergencies," said Horton.