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Trooper Wolford
Three new Michigan State Police troopers join Hart post.
#OceanaCountyNews
HART – Three new Michigan State Police troopers have been assigned to the Hart post after graduating from the 135th Trooper Recruit School in Lansing Wednesday, April 3.
Joining the Sixth District’s Hart post are Lucas Marston of Adrian; Justin VanderVlucht of Temperance; and Andrew Wolford of New Lothrop.
Michigan’s newest troopers will soon report to work at MSP posts across the state. They are among 1,285 troopers assigned statewide.
MSP Director Col. Joe Gasper administered the oath of office during
Trooper VanderVlucht
the ceremony at the Lansing Center, and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivered the keynote address.
“I’m proud to recognize the graduates of the 135th Trooper Recruit School who are joining the ranks of the Michigan State Police today,” said Whitmer. “There is no greater calling than service to others, and it is my honor to support you as you commit yourselves to a career of public service right here in our great State of Michigan. I wish each of you a long, safe and rewarding career with the Michigan State Police.”
“As you leave here today, I encourage you to seek to be what I call the ‘quiet professional,’” Gasper said during his address to the graduates. “Listen first and show kindness, treating everyone with dignity and respect.”
Trooper Marston
The 135th Trooper Recruit School began on Sept. 23, 2018, at the MSP Training Academy in Lansing. For the past 28 weeks, recruits received training in firearms, water safety, defensive tactics, patrol techniques, report writing, ethics, cultural diversity and implicit bias, first aid, criminal law, crime scene processing and precision driving.
As part of the department’s commitment to community outreach and service, the recruits organized a holiday toy drive in partnership with the Marine Corps Reserve “Toys for Tots” and raised $8,400 for Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs. The class also helped to prepare a meal for the Commission on Aging’s “Meals on Wheels” program.
Trooper Coty Hug was elected Class Orator by his fellow recruits and spoke on behalf of the graduating class at Wednesday’s ceremony. Other award recipients included Trooper Robert Swanson II who received the Academic Achievement and Outstanding Performance awards, Trooper Patrick Gaudard who received the Team Building Award and Trooper Gunnar Pila who received the Marksmanship Award.
The MSP is actively recruiting for future trooper recruit schools. There is no singular experience, upbringing or education that makes a trooper. Each trooper is as diverse as the job they perform.
Persons interested in learning more about a career with the MSP should visit www.michigan.gov/mspjobs for information on how to apply. The next trooper recruit school is anticipated to begin in June.
This story is copyrighted © 2019, all rights reserved by Media Group 31, LLC, PO Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454. No portion of this story or images may be reproduced in any way, including print or broadcast, without expressed written consent.
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