Ninety new Michigan State troopers will soon be on the road.
The troopers were officially sworn in today in Lansing.
Governor Rick Snyder told the new troopers they are part of reinventing Michigan, in part by helping those communities hit hard by violent crime.
“There’s a reason why 35 to 36 of you will be going to one of those four areas; Detroit, Flint, Pontiac or Saginaw. We need your help,” Snyder told the new troopers during ceremonies at the Lansing Center, “For those of you not going to those four cities, we need your help. It’s about keeping all Michiganders safe.”
The new troopers join a Michigan State Police force that is at its lowest staffing levels since the 1960’s.
Governor Rick Snyder promised the new troopers that will change.
“We didn’t invest, largely over an 8 year period and we had a lot of attrition. But now we’re changing that trend. The Michigan State Police is going to grow because of your role,” Says Snyder.
A new trooper class will begin in May and another is planned for next year.
The new trooper class had experiences beyond the academy.
Members of the recruiting class were deployed to New Jersey in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. They also assisted with security during an anti-Right to Work union rally in December.
