Four U.P. Michigan State Police Posts to Close

Four Upper Michigan State Police posts will be closed and two will become detachments. A statement today from police headquarters said the changes are necessary to meet a $20 million budget cut.

The State Police plans to close 21 posts and re–designate 12 others as “detachments,” All current troopers would keep their jobs.

Posts slated for closure in the U–P include L’anse, Stephenson, Munising and Iron River. posts that will become detachments are Newberry and Manistique.

These detachments will be closed to the public, but will serve as buildings where troopers can start and end their shifts, accomplish administrative tasks and meet with the public by appointment. The report also includes realigning the coverage area for the posts that will remain open.

The changes would leave seven state police posts in the U–P. The Negaunee post would cover both Marquette and Alger County with the closing of the Munising post. Chippewa and Luce County would fall to the Sault Ste. Marie post. The Calumet post would cover Houghton, Baraga and Keweenaw County. Delta and Menominee County would be manned by officers based at the Gladstone post. Iron and Dickinson County would be patrolled through the Iron Mountain post and Wakefield troopers will cover Gogebic and Ontonagon County.