Officers Monitor Commercial Vehicle Safety on Roads and At International Crossings

November 4, 2005

LANSING.   Michigan will soon benefit from the services of 20 additional Michigan State Police (MSP) motor carrier officers after the 15^th Motor Carrier Recruit School graduates today at a ceremony held in Lansing.

“Today, each graduate pledges to preserve, protect, and defend the great State of Michigan and its citizens; a commitment no officer takes lightly,” stated Colonel Tadarial J. Sturdivant, director of the MSP.  “I am honored to welcome this hard working group of motor carrier officers into the department.”

Motor carrier officers have full police powers for the purpose of commercial vehicle enforcement and perform thousands of comprehensive equipment and driver inspections annually.  The new officers are trained experts at detecting unsafe or defective vehicles and will perform a full range of enforcement duties including the detection and apprehension of individuals who use commercial vehicles for criminal activities. 

“The possibility that a future terrorist attack could involve hazardous materials makes the role of the motor carrier officer in regulating and inspecting hazardous materials carriers even more important,” Sturdivant stated.  “These new graduates are vital to our state and will be instrumental in protecting Michigan’s families.”

The 15^th Motor Carrier Recruit School began on June 19, when 25 recruits reported to the MSP Training Academy in Lansing.  Over a 20-week period, the recruits received training in criminal law, commercial vehicle safety, patrol tactics, problem solving, interpersonal relations, communication skills, physical fitness, first aid, firearms, defensive tactics and precision driving techniques.   Graduating recruits will be assigned to work sites across the state and will report for duty beginning November 7.

Of the 20 graduating recruits, six have college degrees, three have served in the United States military and one has prior law enforcement experience.  Eighteen of the graduating recruits are male and two are female.

The graduates were addressed by keynote speaker Colonel Tadarial J. Sturdivant.  During the ceremony, Motor Carrier Officer David M. Haynes, Class Orator, spoke on behalf of the graduating class and received the Academic Achievement Award.  In addition, Motor Carrier Officer Ronald R. Courtley received the Team Building Award and Motor Carrier Officer Neil L. Biallas received the Marksmanship Award.  Each of the award recipients were elected by their fellow recruits.

A previous MSP Motor Carrier Recruit School was held in 2002.  With the addition of these officers, MSP has 122 at-post motor carrier officers statewide.

CONTACT:  Lt. David Ford, Motor Carrier Division, (517) 336-6449

For a picture or interview with an individual recruit, contact his/her post assignment location.

Graduates of the MichiganStatePolice

15th MotorCarrierRecruitSchool