Nathan Wascher

MARQUETTE — Michigan communities will soon benefit from the addition of 50 state troopers who graduated Friday from the 149th Trooper Recruit School.

Five of the new troopers will serve in the Upper Peninsula: Nathan Wascher of Woodhaven in Iron Mountain, Brad Renwick of Pentwater and Canon Rose of Jackson in St. Ignace, Simon Rajala of Atlantic Mine in Wakefield and Zachary Sackett of Baraga in Calumet.

During the ceremony in Lansing, Col. James F. Grady II, director of the Michigan State Police, administered the oath of office to the graduates.

“I am grateful for your dedication to our state and I want you to know that I have your back,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “I truly believe there is no greater calling than public service and the career you have chosen shows you are willing to make a real difference in people’s lives. Know that I will work hard to ensure you and all our first responders have the resources and support you need to solve crimes, save lives and keep our communities safe. Since I took office, I’ve signed bipartisan budgets investing more than $1.6 billion into public safety, including the MSP, and I’ll work with anyone to make sure you have the resources you need to do your jobs and return home safely at the end of every shift.”

The 149th Trooper Recruit School began July 6 at the MSP Training Academy in Dimondale. Recruits received training in patrol techniques and crime investigation, report writing, ethics, cultural diversity and implicit bias, decision making, leadership, first aid, criminal law, crime scene processing, firearms, water safety, defensive tactics and precision driving.

Simon Rajala

“As director of the Michigan State Police, it gives me immense pride to know that over the last 20 weeks, our training staff have prepared these recruits with the skills necessary to be competent and safe troopers and instilled in them the leadership and critical decision-making skills needed to ensure their success in modern policing,” Grady said. “I look forward to seeing the impactful and positive work these 50 troopers will do in communities across our state, as we work to build a Michigan where everyone feels safe and secure.”

Trooper James Freund was elected class orator by his fellow recruits and spoke on behalf of the graduating class at the ceremony. Prior to today’s ceremony, Trooper Michael Cosenza received the Outstanding Performance Award, Trooper Canon Rose received the Team Building Award, Trooper Julion McCray received the Physical Fitness Award, Trooper Brad Renwick received the Academic Achievement Award, Trooper Nicholas Smith received the Marksmanship Award and Trooper Zachery Sackett received the Sgt. Matt Rogers Driving Excellence Award.

Including the 50 graduates of the 149th Trooper Recruit School, there are approximately 1,145 troopers assigned statewide, and a total of 1,835 enlisted members in the MSP.

The MSP is actively recruiting for future trooper recruit schools, including the 151st Lateral Trooper Recruit School and 152nd Trooper Recruit School slated to begin in January. Individuals interested in learning more should go to www.michigan.gov/MSPjobs for information on how to apply.

Zachery Sackett

Brad Renwick

Canon Rose