Newly graduated MSP Troopers headed to U.P.

LANSING — Eight new Michigan State Police Troopers are headed to the Upper Peninsula.

Michigan State Police Director Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue administered the Oath of Office to 58 new troopers at the graduation ceremony of the 130th Trooper Recruit School at the Lansing Center on Friday. Of those 58, two U.P. natives — Troopers Trent Pacheco and Andrew Peterson — are destined for assignment at the Negaunee Post. Gladstone’s Trooper Drew Gabriel and Trooper Tylen Rhoda of Lawrence will be assigned to the St. Ignace Post. Trooper Stephen Maxinoski, originally from Wisconsin, and Trooper Logan White of Alma will head to Wakefield, while Trooper Kody Carlson of Marquette and Trooper Philip Motylinski of Dundee will now be a part of the Calumet Post.

The 130th Trooper Recruit School began in June with 70 prospective troopers reporting to the MSP Training Academy in Lansing. For 22 weeks, recruits were trained in firearms, defensive tactics, and numerous other law enforcement skills. This was the second of four trooper recruit schools put on this year in addition to a motor carrier officer recruit school.

Graduation keynote speaker Governor Rick Snyder commended the newly graduated troopers for their hard work and dedication.

[Trooper photos courtesy Michigan State Police Negaunee Post]