NEWS RELEASE
MICHIGAN STATE POLICE
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LANSING – Eight new Michigan State Police (MSP) motor carrier officers have joined the ranks following the graduation of the 26th Motor Carrier Officer Recruit School at a ceremony in Lansing.
Motor carrier officers are armed uniformed members of the MSP who specialize in commercial vehicle enforcement.
They enforce traffic safety laws on commercial vehicles, protect the infrastructure through aggressive size and weight enforcement, conduct commercial vehicle and driver inspections and contribute to homeland security efforts by enforcing hazardous material regulations.
In his address to the recruits, Col. Joe Gasper, director of the MSP, said, “You have an important role in our traffic safety efforts and will help save lives by working to reduce traffic crashes and injuries for Michigan residents and visitors. Please take your rights and responsibilities seriously and strive to be the best you can be every single day.”
The 26th Motor Carrier Officer Recruit School began on Jan. 22, when 17 prospective officers reported to the MSP Training Academy in Dimondale.
For the past 18 weeks, the recruits received training in firearms, water safety, defensive tactics, patrol techniques, report writing, ethics, first aid, criminal law, precision driving, commercial vehicle law and commercial vehicle inspection procedures.
To be selected to attend the academy, applicants had to pass a stringent selection process that included a physical fitness test, background investigation and hiring interview.
The new officers bring the total number of motor carrier officers statewide to 105.
