The 125th Trooper Recruit School Begins

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The recruits and their families arrived at the Michigan State Police Training Academy early Sunday afternoon, May 12, 2013.  Eighty recruits and their families were invited to a family orientation.  They were addressed by speakers, Sgt. Kevin Rod, Capt. Kari L. Kusmierz, Sgt. Kandyce Herr, Dr. Robert Wolford, and Chaplain Peter Nickel.  Final instructions were given by Sgt. Kandyce Herr.

Each of the recruits and their families were provided tours of the Training Academy.  They left orientation with instructions to report back to the Training Academy steps at 5:00 p.m. sharp.

Having said their goodbyes to friends and family, at 5:00 p.m. eighty recruits lined the sidewalks standing at attention in front of the Training Academy.  Filled with nervous anxiety and anticipation, the recruits began their journey with the goal of becoming a Michigan State Police Trooper.

The recruits first received a message from Sgt. Herr, the 125^th Trooper Recruit School Commander, with family and friends watching from a distance.  Sgt. Herr gave the command, “Secure your gear” and they marched into the training academy as recruits of the 125^th Michigan State Police Trooper Recruit School.

The recruits had many tasks before the day was over.  They were measured for uniforms, received physical training gear, mugs, legal/first aid books and other required equipment.  They received room keys and were directed to their rooms to dress in their utility uniform, stow their gear and assemble in the north stairwell.  As a class, for the first time the recruits marched to the auditorium where they were given further instruction by Sgt. Herr.  The recruits’ night was not yet complete, though. They returned to their rooms to organize their belongings, equipment and room according to policy under the watchful eyes of the temporary staff.  Taps was played at 10:00 p.m., signaling the end of day one.

124th TRS: Week 22

On Wednesday, the recruits entered the gym for the last day of physical training for the graduation run.

The recruits stretch prior to the run.

This 10-mile run signals the end of the challenges the recruits have encountered while at the Training Academy.

The command officer inspection occurred on Thursday.

During the inspection, MSP Director Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue and Field Services Bureau Commander Lt. Col. W. Thomas Sands inspected the recruits.

Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue inspects the recruits.

Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue inspects a recruit.

The class photo of the 124th Trooper Recruit School.

The 124th Trooper Recruit School began the final week with 90 recruits returning from weekend furlough.

It has been a long 22 weeks for the recruits that remain. During the final week, the recruits looked sharp in their uniforms and their pride was evident as they moved throughout the Michigan State Police (MSP) Training Academy.

With the final week came the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) certification test, inspection of the recruits by command officers, the graduation run, and lastly, the graduation ceremony.

On Wednesday, the recruits entered the gym for the last day of physical training for the graduation run. Early in the morning before dawn, the recruits, instructors, and a large group of department members began the 10-mile run. This event signals the end of the challenges the recruits have encountered while at the Training Academy.

The command officer inspection occurred on Thursday. During this time, Michigan State Police Director Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue and the Field Services Bureau Commander Lt. Col. W. Thomas Sands inspected the recruits of the 124th Trooper Recruit School.

The recruits have completed all the challenges and hurdles given. First aid, defensive tactics, firearms, water safety, precision driving, patrols/report writing, physical training, and all the classroom instruction have been successfully completed. Each recruit has faced his or her own adversity and they have had to overcome. The recruits are ready. They have earned the right to be called “Troopers.”

Finally, graduation day arrived. On Friday, in front of a large audience of family, friends, and other members of the MSP family, the recruits were on display. The audience was addressed by Gov. Rick Snyder and Colonel Etue. The recruits were given the Oath of Office and then received their rightfully earned trooper badges.

Congratulations to the Troopers of the 124th Michigan State Police Trooper Recruit School!

Week 22 ended with 90 new Michigan State Police troopers ready to report to their assigned posts.

124th TRS: Week 21

This week began with the recruits being introduced to another side of police work — courtroom testimony.

In a mock courtroom situation, the recruits testified about facts that occurred within a scenario.

There was a real judge, prosecutor and defense attorney.

The recruits quickly learned the importance of writing a thorough and accurate report.

A special “MSP” collar brass pinning ceremony happened Friday morning.

Each piece of the uniform is earned, not given.

The recruit school mentors pinned the collar brass on each recruit.

The recruits stand at attention inside the Training Academy gymnasium.

A recruit receives his “MSP” collar brass.

Week 21 of the 124th Trooper Recruit School began with 90 recruits present and accounted for.

The week began with the recruits being introduced to another side of police work – courtroom testimony. Throughout the past few months, the recruits have been exposed to many scenarios and are expected to complete a thorough and factual report of the scenario. This week, the recruits were taken to Cooley Law School’s mock courtroom.

While inside the courtroom, several mock trials were held, with the recruits testifying about the facts that pertained to one of the scenarios in which they participated. A group of law students served as jury members to hear the recruit’s testimony. There was also a real judge that presided over the trial, a real prosecutor and defense attorney. The recruits quickly learned the importance of writing a thorough and accurate report. They discovered that preparation for court testimony is imperative. When envisioning being a trooper, courtroom testimony is not the first thought that comes to mind but it is necessary and important.

During the week, the recruits were also in the classroom for radio/telephone communications and advanced interrogation procedures. They completed an interview/interrogation of an actor posing as a criminal sexual assault suspect for Practical No. 9 with assistance from detective sergeants from around the state. They also received Quick Action Deployment – “QUAD” – training. This training is designed to give the recruits tactical training when responding to an active shooter incident.

On Friday morning, the recruit school staff held a special “MSP” collar brass pinning ceremony. Like all pieces of the uniform earned so far, it is very significant for the recruits to be aware of how hard they’ve worked. Each piece of the uniform is earned, never given. The recruit school mentors (troopers on staff) pinned the collar brass to each recruit.

The recruit’s time at the Training Academy has been difficult and filled with many challenges that they have overcome. With only one week left they still have several challenges ahead, but they can now see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Week 21 ended with 90 recruits being released for weekend furlough.