State Police Adds 13 Motor Carrier Officers; Officers to Enforce Commercial Vehicle Laws

Contact: See contact information below.

Michigan will soon benefit from the services of 13 additional Michigan State Police (MSP) motor carrier officers with the graduation of the 18th Motor Carrier Officer Recruit School, which was held today at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center in East Lansing, Mich.

"These new motor carrier 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 role is vital to Michigan's economy, public safety and the protection of our highway infrastructure."

Motor carrier officers are enforcement members of the MSP Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division, specializing in commercial vehicle enforcement.  They enhance commercial vehicle traffic safety through high visibility traffic enforcement activities, protect state highway infrastructure through aggressive size and weight enforcement and provide for homeland security through the enforcement of hazardous material regulations and criminal interdiction.

The 18th Motor Carrier Officer Recruit School began on Oct. 28, 2012, when 17 prospective officers reported to the MSP Training Academy.  For the past 20 weeks, recruits received training in criminal law, commercial vehicle safety regulations, patrol tactics, problem solving, interpersonal relations, communication skills, physical fitness, first aid, firearms, defensive tactics and precision driving techniques.  Graduation is the culmination of nearly a year-long hiring process, which began with over 230 applicants.

Of the 13 new officers, two are United States military veterans and five have previous law enforcement experience.  Additionally, 12 of the new officers have some college experience with seven obtaining a college degree.

During the graduation ceremony, the class was addressed by Colonel Etue and Mr. Kirk Steudle, director of the Michigan Department of Transportation, who served as the guest speaker.  MC Ofcr. Brian Kirk, who was elected Class Orator by his fellow recruits, spoke on behalf of the graduating class.   Other award winners included, MC Ofcr. Jonathan VanHoose who received the Academic Achievement Award, MC Ofcr. Daniel Blakemore who received the Marksmanship Award and MC Ofcr. Daryl Myers who received the Team Building Award. 

With the addition of these 13 new officers, the MSP now has 108 at-post motor carrier officers statewide.

Graduates of the Michigan State Police
18th Motor Carrier Officer Recruit School

For additional information on the 18th Motor Carrier Officer Recruit School, visit their blog at www.msprecruits.wordpress.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Insp. Brenda Dietrich, MSP Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division, (517) 241-0477

NOTE: For a picture or interview with an individual motor carrier officer, contact their local post. 

MSP Coldwater Post: (517) 278-2373
MSP Jackson Post: (517) 780-4580
MSP Metro Post: (248) 584-5740
MSP Monroe Post: (734) 242-3500
MSP Niles Post: (269) 683-4411