As more and more Michigan State Police Troopers head into retirement, there are hundreds of vacancies to be filled, and 55 new recruits graduated last week to help fill some gaps while the 139th Trooper Recruit School began the journey Sunday with 75 more hopeful of joining the ranks.
Two new State Troopers have been assigned to Paw Paw’s 5th District Post out of the graduating class of 55 who earned their assignments upon graduation last Thursday, just days before the new recruit school launched yesterday, Sunday, March 7th.
During a virtual graduation ceremony on Thursday, March 4th, in which Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was the keynote speaker, Col. Joe Gasper administered the Oath of Office to 55 new troopers, who this week start their assignments at MSP posts across the state. Among them are Trooper Oliver Fiala from Cassopolis and Trooper Kalvin Ludwig from Three Rivers. Both have been assigned to the Paw Paw Post in the 5th District.
Gov. Whitmer told the troopers, “I’m honored to recognize the 55 graduates of the 138th Trooper Recruit School as they join the ranks of the Michigan State Police and begin a career serving the people of Michigan,” adding, “Public service is both an honor and a calling, and I know that these new troopers will commit themselves to keeping our communities safe and step up to serve our state in times of need. Together, we will create a safer and more just Michigan for all.”
The 138th Trooper Recruit School began back on September 8, 2020, at the MSP Training Academy in Lansing. Recruits received training in firearms, water safety, defensive tactics, patrol techniques, report writing, ethics, cultural diversity and implicit bias, decision making, leadership, first aid, criminal law, crime scene processing and precision driving.
Tpr. Anthony Hoffman was elected Class Orator by his fellow recruits and spoke on behalf of the graduating class at their ceremony. In addition, Trooper Hoffman also received the Team Building Award.
Other award recipients included Tpr. Janice Dixon who received the Outstanding Performance and Academic Achievement awards and Tpr. Zachary Smith who received the Marksmanship Award.
Col. Joe Gasper, Director of the Michigan State Police, says, “We celebrate adding these 55 women and men to the Michigan State Police family,” adding, “I’m excited to see them start a rewarding career serving those who live in Michigan and visit our wonderful state.”
Including the 55 graduates of the 138th Trooper Recruit School, there are approximately 1,225 troopers assigned statewide, and a total of 1,900 enlisted members in the MSP.
The 139th Trooper Recruit School began on March 7th, at the MSP Training Academy in Lansing with 75 prospective troopers. They are expected to graduate on August 20, 2021.
With a goal of achieving a strength of 2,100 enlisted members, the MSP is actively recruiting for future trooper recruit schools. Persons interested in learning more about a career with the MSP should visit http://www.michigan.gov/mspjobs for information on how to apply.
Applications are now being accepted for the 140th Trooper Recruit school.
