Michigan State Police ride along

[USCGjoker]

Well finally after 4 years I am returning to Michigan and being stationed on Belle Isle, but enough about that. I have always had a strong interest in Michigan State Police and am interested in riding along with them one day, so this brings up a few questions. What is MSP's ride along policy, is it open for everyone who is interested in future employement with MSP or only criminal justice students? Is it possible to ride for a whole shift? Which post would you recommend riding with (willing to drive anywhere)? Any other information would be greatly appreciated. I would only be doing this to get an inside view of life with MSP and to get opinions from Troopers. I am wrapping up my 2 years as a Coast Guard Police Officer (another term for MP) and loved the patrol and traffic aspect of the job. I used that opportunity to make sure that this is the job I wanted to do and for the great training that we received. Again any information you can offer is appreciated, and thanks for keeping my home state safe.

Joe

[warrior1978]

I did a ride along last year so the answer to your question is yes, MSP does do ride alongs. I coordinated with the Post LT who had me come in for a face to face one day prior to the ride along. The following day I spent a half shift on days and a half shift on afternoons. My recommendation is to do a ride along with a full service post rather than a traffic only post (Metro North & South for example)

[Hockeyfan05]

Well finally after 4 years I am returning to Michigan and being stationed on Belle Isle, but enough about that. I have always had a strong interest in Michigan State Police and am interested in riding along with them one day, so this brings up a few questions. What is MSP's ride along policy, is it open for everyone who is interested in future employement with MSP or only criminal justice students? Is it possible to ride for a whole shift? Which post would you recommend riding with (willing to drive anywhere)? Any other information would be greatly appreciated. I would only be doing this to get an inside view of life with MSP and to get opinions from Troopers. I am wrapping up my 2 years as a Coast Guard Police Officer (another term for MP) and loved the patrol and traffic aspect of the job. I used that opportunity to make sure that this is the job I wanted to do and for the great training that we received. Again any information you can offer is appreciated, and thanks for keeping my home state safe.

Joe
As far as I know...They only like to do ride-along's for people who are criminal justice students per a few post commanders who I know personally. But, if you know a someone with some pull at a post you should be able to get to do a ride-along. I have done a few all at different posts and that gave me a great inside view of the MSP. Metro North/South are basically just traffic but if you go to the outer suburbs than you could run on domestics, alarms ect...Thanks for all you do with the Coast Guard. This is just my .02 from what I have experienced.

[T202]

Of the three Post I have worked at, except for a very few exceptions, all of the ride alongs were CJ students.

[Blue Caped Girl]

It depends which district the post is located. I can only speak for third and sixth district. Third district the post commander can authorize (this was 7 years ago folks). In the sixth, CJ student only and with the Captain's approval. There is a release of liability that you sign if only going through the post commander, but know that if something you did or got caught up with is a duzie, it's the post commanders tail bone. :p

[warrior1978]

I did mine in District 2. At the time of the ride along, I had recently come off active duty and passed the Civil Service Exam. I don't know if being a CJ student was a factor as I had completed my CJ degree in 2000.

[USCGjoker]

Thankyou for the information. I do not know any Troopers personally, just the ones here, I guess I will try with a post and see what happens. The only thing I would need to remember is not to get out of the vehicle unless told I could :) Only 1 week left in Kodiak!!

Joe

[9 Point]

Have you taken the Civil Service test yet ?

Contact one of the Recruiters in your area for info about ride alongs.

I did one a few years back with the Ypsi. Post and learned alot. I called and talked to the Post Commander over the phone ,who was more than helpful and set up a time and date for me to come in.

[USCGjoker]

I haven't yet, how long are the results good for? I am re-enlisting for another 5 years on Monday so hopefully when it comes time for me to get out there will be job openings.