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Trooper Recruit School

Recruit line up outside the Training Academy on the first day of recruit school.

Trooper Recruit School

What is recruit school like?

  • Day in the Life of a Trooper Recruit

    If you’ve ever thought about a career as a Michigan State Trooper, are curious about the training process or want to see the commitment it takes to earn the trooper badge, check out our new Day in the Life of a Trooper Recruit video. 

  • Recruit School Experience

    Learn more about the recruit school experience. 

Training:

Michigan State Police troopers are full-service police officers with enforcement authority throughout the entire state. All troopers complete our residential training academy in Lansing, Michigan where they receive nearly 1,200 hours of hands-on, lecture, and scenario-based instruction in:

  • Firearms
  • Patrol Techniques
  • First Aid
  • Criminal Law
  • Crime Scene Processing
  • Precision Driving
  • Water Safety
  • Defensive Tactics
  • Report Writing
  • Ethics
  • Cultural Diversity
  • Implicit Bias

  • Physical Training

    The demanding day of an MSP recruit begins at 5 a.m. with reveille. After 30 minutes to prepare for the day, the recruit reports to physical training. The arduous work-out includes running, strength training and aerobics, as well as health and nutrition.

  • Inspection

    After physical training, the recruit is given 15 minutes to shower and change before breakfast, the quickest meal of the day. The recruit has just 30 minutes to eat breakfast and prepare his/her room for inspection. The recruit is also quizzed on academic material and department policies and procedures.

  • Morning Classes

    Morning classes begin at 8 a.m. The classes cover topics vital to the execution of law enforcement duties including criminal law and procedure, constitutional law, report writing and cultural awareness. The first break comes at lunch, where the recruit has one hour to eat, study and prepare for the afternoon activities.

  • Afternoon Classes

    During the afternoon the recruit participates in hands-on activities learning first aid, firearms, defensive tactics, water safety, and patrol tactics. For these topics, the recruit class is broken into smaller squads allowing more one-on-one interaction with instructors.

  • Evenings

    Dinner begins promptly at 5 p.m. The evening is filled with military drills, work details, testing, and study time. The playing of taps signals lights out at 10 p.m. The day's activities repeat five days a week for the duration of recruit school. As a residential program, the recruit is only allowed to leave the Training Academy on Friday evenings and must return on Sunday afternoons.

  • Instructors

    Each recruit school has two primary instructors, a commander and assistant commander, usually at the rank of sergeant. Around 10 troopers from across the state, on temporary assignment to the Training Academy, also serve as instructors. Each trooper instructs one primary subject, such as patrols, but will also instruct other subjects as needed.

Location:

Recruit school takes place at the MSP Training Academy, 7426 North Canal Road, Lansing, Michigan 48913.

  • Recruit School Physical Training Preparation Plan

    A comprehensive workout program to better prepare applicants for the physical expectations of the Michigan State Police (MSP) recruit school.

  • FAQs

  • Talk to a Recruiter

  • Why MSP

  • Information for Veterans