One Coleman graduate is newest state trooper

Two assigned to Mt. Pleasant Post

One new trooper from Coleman and two who will be assigned to the Mt. Pleasant Post are among 55 who graduated last week from the 138th Trooper Recruit School.

With hundreds of trooper vacancies due to continued attrition, the Michigan State Police (MSP) Recruiting and Selection Section and Training Division remain busy, state police officials said.

On Thursday, 55 troopers graduated from the 138th Trooper Recruit School, which was quickly followed by the start of the 139th Trooper Recruit School on Sunday, March 7.

Local troopers include: • Trooper Taryn Wessels, from Coleman, who will be assigned to

the Tri-city Post in Freeland.

• Trooper Chayce Abbey, from the Mountain Home AFB in Idaho, will be assigned to the Mt. Pleasant Post.

• Trooper Andrew Woodard, from Frankenmuth, will be assigned to the Mt. Pleasant Post.

During a virtual graduation ceremony, in which Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was the keynote speaker, Col. Joe Gasper administered the Oath of Office to 55 new troopers, who this week start their assignments at MSP posts across the state.

“I’m honored to recognize the 55 graduates of the 138th Trooper Recruit School as they join the ranks of the Michigan State Police and begin a career serving the people of Michigan,” said Whitmer.

“Public service is both an honor and a calling, and I know that these new troopers will commit themselves to keeping our communities safe and step up to serve our state in times of need. Together, we will create a safer and more just Michigan for all.”

The 138th Trooper Recruit School began on Sept. 8, 2020, at the MSP Training Academy in Lansing. Recruits received training in firearms, water safety, defensive tactics, patrol techniques, report writing, ethics, cultural diversity and implicit bias, decision making, leadership, first aid, criminal law, crime scene processing and precision driving.

“We celebrate adding these 55 women and men to the Michigan State Police family,” said Col. Joe Gasper, director of the MSP. “I’m excited to see them start a rewarding career serving those who live in Michigan and visit our wonderful state.”

Including the 55 graduates of the 138th Trooper Recruit School, there are approximately 1,225 troopers assigned statewide, and a total of 1,900 enlisted members in the MSP.

The 139th Trooper Recruit School began on March 7, at the MSP Training Academy in Lansing with 75 prospective troopers. They are expected to graduate on Aug. 20, 2021.

With a goal of achieving a strength of 2,100 enlisted members, the MSP is actively recruiting for future trooper recruit schools. Persons interested in learning more about a career with the MSP should visit www. michigan.gov/mspjobs for information on how to apply.

Applications are now being accepted for the 140th Trooper Recruit school.