April 7, 2003

East Lansing -  The first of 19 in-service schools planned for 2003, begin this month at the Michigan State Police Training Academy in Lansing. The schools, which are run by MSP, train law enforcement officers from all over the state and the nation.

In-service school participants learn interview and interrogation, legal issues, patrol and ground-fighting techniques, fake identification recognition and law enforcement ethics and values. They also participate in simulated traffic stops to promote safety and efficiency.

"We train officers from a variety of areas and agencies, so we try to gear the classes toward situations they might face as part of their own duties," said Sergeant Jason Williams, program coordinator. "This type of training allows different agencies to work together and learn from each other."

In 2002, the program serviced 220 officers from over 64 departments, ranging from Keweenaw County in the Upper Peninsula, to departments at the Ohio/Indiana border and everything in between. Each in-service school is three days long and class size is limited to 16 officers. Over 250 officers are scheduled to attend in 2003.

Officers or police departments interested in attending should contact the Michigan State Police Training Academy at (517) 322-1200.

Read more press releases from Michigan State Police.