The duties of a Michigan State Police (MSP) Angel Program Volunteer will place the Angel in close personal contact with program participants requesting assistance for Substance Use Disorder treatment and recovery. In addition, it will create circumstances in which the Angel will interact with the public, fellow Angels, law enforcement personnel, and treatment providers, as well as having access to law enforcement facilities and sensitive participant information.
For these reasons, the MSP has an obligation to help ensure the safety of participants, Angels, and members of the public with whom the Angel may come into contact.
In connection with an individual’s application to serve as an Angel, the MSP will conduct a criminal history background check and probation status to determine eligibility for MSP Angel Program participation.
It is important to note that previous criminal convictions or conduct will not necessarily disqualify applicant from serving as an Angel. All circumstances will be considered when determining the eligibility of the applicant. Angels do not have to be familiar with addiction to serve in this capacity.
Step 2: The MSP will review information contained on the
Background Query Release Form and in the following information systems to establish/refute the suitability of applicants to serve as an Angel:
- LEIN/NCIC
- AICS
- MDOC Database
- Check with local Drug Team
For safety and security reasons, persons who have been convicted of the following offenses will be deemed ineligible to serve as an Angel:
- All Felony Sex Offenses – Regardless of the amount of time since offense. Examples: Child molestation, rape, sexual assault, sexual battery, etc.
- All Misdemeanor Violence – must be more than one year from time of conviction. Examples: Simple assault, battery, domestic violence, hit and run, etc.
- All Felony Violence – Regardless of the amount of time since offense. Examples: Murder, manslaughter, aggravated assault, kidnapping, robbery, etc.
- All Misdemeanor drug and alcohol offenses – must be more than one year from time of conviction. Examples: Driving under the influence, simple drug possession, disorderly conduct, drinking in public, possession of drug paraphernalia, etc.
- All Felony Offenses other than those listed above – must be more than two years from time of conviction. Examples: Drug related, theft, fraud, etc.
- Open Charges. Persons with any open charges for disqualifying offenses shall be ineligible until the active case is brought to resolution or the charges are dropped.
For persons currently on probation, contact will be made with his or her probation officer to determine whether the conditions of his/her probation preclude program participation.
Step 3: Should all screening actions result in a favorable determination; the applicant will be scheduled for Angel training:
- If the applicant has previously attended Recovery Coach or other similar training, additional training will encompass Angel-specific program policies and protocols.
- If the applicant has not previously attended Recovery Coach or other similar training, initial training will consist of an overview and introduction to addiction and working with addicts as well as Angel program-specific policies and protocols.
Step 4: Upon completion of training, the Angel will be assigned an “Angel number” and be placed on the Angel call-out list.
MSP has the sole discretion and authority to remove an Angel from the MSP Angel Program at any time deemed necessary.
