(High-Resolution Photo)

Twenty recruits formally received their badges at the 17th Motor Carrier Recruit School graduation ceremony on Wednesday, November 23. The recruits went through a rigorous 17 ½ - week training curriculum to become Michigan State Police motor carrier officers.

"These new officers are a welcomed and much needed addition to our Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division," said Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue, director of the MSP. "Motor carrier officers are highly trained and their roles are vital to Michigan's economy, public safety, and the protection of our highway infrastructure."

Motor carrier officers are armed, uniformed members of the MSP Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division, specializing 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.

The recruits received training in the following:

• Criminal law
• Commercial vehicle safety
• Patrol tactics
• Physical fitness
• Report writing
• First aid
• Firearms
• Defensive tactics
• Precision driving techniques

The recruits were assigned to MSP work sites across the state and will report for duty the week of November 28.

Of the 20 graduating recruits, eight have served in the United States Military and one has prior law enforcement experience. Additionally, all of the new officers have some college experience with 18 having obtained a college degree.

17th Motor Carrier Recruit School Links