Realignment of MSP posts goes into effect

Four Upper Michigan posts of the Michigan State Police are closed, and others re-aligned, as part of the cost-cutting realignment of the agency. Posts in Iron River and L’Anse are no longer operational. Munising and Stephenson posts closed in September.

This new structure is part of the department’s regional policing plan, which was first announced in March 2011. “The Michigan State Police is committed to providing public safety statewide and troopers will remain in all 83 counties,” said Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue, director of the Michigan State Police. “The regional policing plan provides increased trooper visibility while relying less upon traditional bricks and mortar post buildings, making the department more mobile and flexible for responding to emerging community public safety needs.”

Statewide, the MSP is reducing the number of posts from 62 to 29. The

regional policing plan, which helps the department achieve its $17.7

million general fund reduction for fiscal year 2012, allows the

department to continue its mission and achieve necessary cost savings

without laying off a single trooper.

The following Upper Michigan regional posts will remain fully operational and open to the public, Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.:

Calumet

Gladstone

Iron Mountain

Negaunee

Sault Ste. Marie

St. Ignace

Wakefield

19 former MSP posts will convert to detachments, which are facilities where troopers can start and end their shifts, store property/evidence and meet with the public by appointment. Detachments will not maintain public lobby hours. These locations include: Mansitique and Newberry.

For additional information on the MSP Regional Policing Plan, click on

the Regional Policing Plan link on the left side of the MSP Web page at

www.michigan.gov/msp.

To contact the MSP 24-hours a day, call 1-800-525-5555.