August 3, 2007

LANSING. Law enforcement officers from the Alaska Department of Public Safety and Vermont State Police have come to the Michigan State Police (MSP) Training Academy this week to learn advanced law enforcement driving techniques from MSP driving instructors who are regarded as some of the top in the nation.

The out of state troopers are joining officers from the Detroit Police Department, Jackson Police Department, Oakland County Sheriff's Department, Three Rivers Police Department and West Bloomfield Police Department for the Advanced Precision Driving Program. During 10 hours of classroom instruction and 30 hours of in-car training, they will cover topics such as defensive driving, performance driving, skid control, pursuit driving, night driving, vehicle dynamics, civil liability and vehicle maintenance.

The MSP Precision Driving Facility is located on a 42-acre site adjacent to the MSP Training Academy in Lansing. The facility features a nine acre precision maneuvering pad (700' x 500'), a three acre skid pad (500' x 200'), an off-road recovery lane, an observation tower and 27 safety equipped vehicles.

The MSP has been offering courses in precision driving since 1989, and has taught students from all over the country, Canada, and as far away as Australia.

CONTACT: F/Lt. David Halliday, MSP Training Academy, (517) 322-1787