Wakefield State Police post welcomes two newest members

WAKEFIELD - The Michigan State Police's Wakefield Post has some new faces as the post recently welcomed two new members, fresh from the state police academy's most recent graduating class.

Troopers Andrew Tower and Kyle Swanson graduated on July 24 as two of the troopers comprising the state police's 128th Trooper Recruit School.

Eighty-six recruits began the training - 62 of which graduated - which lasted 21 weeks and covered a wide range of topics, according to Tower, including training in first aid, firearms use, water safety, precision driving, counter-terrorism, relevant legal information and narcotics identification.

"It was very, very extensive," said Tower, "We had 17-hour days. We woke up at 5 a.m. ... and lights out - when we had to go to bed - was at 10 p.m. (We were) very tired at the end of the day."

Recruits would change roommates every week, Tower said, in order to help everyone meet as many of their fellow recruits as possible during the training.

Toward the end of training, the recruits specified their preferences for postings following graduation, Tower said, listing the 29 state police posts in the state from most desired to least desired. The preferences are then factored into the placements, along with other calculations, according to Tower.

"We got a list but it's not guaranteed, it's all based on the department's needs and also your performance in the academy," said Tower.

Both Tower - who is from South Lyon, near Detroit - and Swanson - who's from the town of Ahmeek, outside Calumet - said they were looking for postings in the Upper Peninsula.

"I wanted to go somewhere rural, I think Wakefield is as rural as I can get. It's a beautiful area though," said Tower. "It's quite a change but I've always been an outdoors person ... I fell in love with it, beautiful scenery, nice people. I'm glad to be here."

The preference for the U.P. means that even though the threat of deployment to Wakefield was a running joke in recruit school, according to the troopers, both are excited for the assignment.

With the troopers now assigned to the post, they must now complete their probationary period, Tower said, including four months of riding with field training officers.

"It gets harder and harder, (the trainers) give you more responsibility as you near the end of ... the four months," said Tower. "The last two weeks is what they call the shadow phase, where you are doing everything yourself and the other officer is just observing you."

While the troopers haven't been in Wakefield for long, Tower said he has been enjoying the job.

"We've had a lot of interaction with the locals so far, that's always nice," said Tower. "It's not too busy so you can actually take the time to get to know the locals and be friendly, play with the kids, that's always nice."

The job is also less structured than the troopers are used to after life in the academy.

"We have more flexibility to do things on our own, which is nice," said Tower. "It can be difficult at times, like the little things, like feeding yourself. At the academy they fed us, and we were told exactly what to do and where to be and how to do it, now ... we have to fend for ourselves. We have to make sure we are doing what we are supposed to do."

Tower said he has long wanted to work for the state police, graduating from Eastern Michigan University with a degree in criminal justice.

Swanson said he wanted to be a trooper since fifth grade, continuing his family's connection to the department.

"My grandpa was a trooper and he loved it," said Swanson. "I just always knew that was what I wanted to do."

His grandfather served as a trooper in Stephenson.

The addition of Tower and Swanson means there are 12 troopers in Wakefield as well as two sergeants, one detective sergeant and a lieutenant, according to information at the post. The post also has a secretary and motor carrier officer who handles commercial vehicle enforcement.