3 New Troopers for Michigan State Police- Brighton Post

On March 29, 2013 the Michigan State Police, 124th Trooper Recruit School graduated from the State Police Training Academy. The 124th Recruit School started October 28, 2012 with 114 recruits and 22 weeks later graduated 90 Troopers. 

The Michigan State Police - Brighton Post  would like to introduce the three new Troopers who were assigned to the Brighton Post and will be on patrol in Livingston and Washtenaw counties.

Trooper Siera Hammond, 26 years old, home town of Newport, Michigan.  Trooper Hammond has an associate’s degree from Monroe County Community College, a Bachelor’s Degree in Humanities from the University of Toledo and a Masters Degree in History from Western Michigan University.  Trooper Hammond  says, “she always wanted to do something more with my life” and was drawn to a career in public service and this led her to the Michigan State Police.  Trooper Hammond says Recruit School provided a glimse of what being a Trooper is all about and she hopes to spend the rest of her career finding out the rest.”

Trooper Jeffrey Schmerheim, 25 years old, hometown of St. Clair Shores, MI.  Trooper Schmerheim has an Associated Degree in Criminal Justice from Macomb Community College.  Trooper Schmerheim says, “I have always wanted to be police officer.”  Trooper Schmerheim was able to complete an internship at the Michigan State Police – Richmond Post.  Trooper Schmerheim states it was during his internship at the Richmond Post and observing how the Troopers worked made him decide to want to be a Trooper. 

Trooper Amy Belanger, 28 years old, hometown of Clarkston, MI.  Trooper Belanger has an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice from Mott Community College and prior to being a Trooper, worked as a Cadet for the West Bloomfield Township Police Department.  Trooper Belanger says, “Even as a child I have always been intrigued by law enforcement and knew she wanted to be a part of it.”  Trooper Belanger is the first in her family to be a police officer. 

During the 22 weeks of intense Recruit School training, Troopers Hammond, Schmerheim and Belanger, received training in: ethics, physical fitness, water safety, criminal and traffic law, patrol tactics, defensive tactics, crime scene investigation, precision driving, various firearms, first-aid, small squad tactic and many other aspects of law enforcement.

At the Brighton Post, Troopers Hammond, Schmerheim and Belanger, are called “Cubs” (rookies) and will be assigned to various senior Troopers, who have been trained as Field Training Officers (FTO’s), to continue their training for next 17 weeks.  During this time the “Cubs” will take their recruit school training and learn to apply it in “real world” conditions. 

The Michigan State Police will start the 125th Recruit School on May 12, 2013 and an addition Trooper recruit school is anticipated in early 2014. 

Any person interested in becoming a Trooper should visit www.michigan.gov/mspjobs for more information on how to apply.