JOE GASPER

CORUNNA, MI – Three Michigan State Police troopers with the Flint Post have been charged in Shiawassee District Court in connection with an on-duty incident that took place in August 2022. Ryan Fitzko, Cody Lukas, and Justin Simpson were each arraigned in Shiawassee County District Court Friday, March 17, on single misdemeanor counts of assault and battery. Lukas is also charged with one count of misconduct in office, a felony. The charges were authorized by Shiawassee County Prosecutor Scott Koerner following an MSP investigation into the officers’ use of force against a person who was riding a bicycle on Aug. 24, 2022. “The use of excessive force by a Michigan State Police trooper against anyone is unacceptable and inexcusable,” MSP Col. Joe Gasper, director of the MSP, said in a statement.

A mid-week winter storm is approaching Metro Detroit and is expected to bring ice, rain, freezing rain and snow to the area on Wednesday and Thursday.

Ahead of these weather hazards, the Michigan State Police are encouraging people to prepare for possible widespread power outages Wednesday and dangerous driving conditions that could start on Wednesday and persist into Thursday in some areas. “With this potentially dangerous storm hitting across the state, we advise all Michiganders to take precautions and avoid non-essential travel when possible,” said Col. Joe Gasper, director of the Michigan State Police. With winds gusting to 45 mph in some spots on Wednesday, and blowing at up to 50 mph on Thursday, there’s a real potential for power outages. Add to that the freezing rain and ice storm forecast for the southern half of Lower Michigan on Wednesday, and that potential for outages rises sharply. A wintery mix of sleet and freezing rain is expected to start late morning Wednesday and continue into Wednesday night.

The state of Michigan has announced that nearly 200 school districts will receive financial support to hire school resource officers.

Three troopers from the 142nd Michigan State Police Trooper Recruit School graduated last week and were assigned to the Monroe Post.

OK2SAY, Michigan’s student safety program run by the Michigan State Police, received 6,255 tips spanning 30 categories in 2021, up 67% from 2020, according to the 2021 annual report. Other findings from the 2021 report include 34 tips that involved the confiscation of weapons and 86 tips that resulted in the seizure of drugs or alcohol. Student Ethan Crumbley, now 16, is accused of killing four students and injuring others on Nov. 30, 2021, at Oxford High School. Officials say OK2SAY also began presenting the student safety program to middle schools in September 2021. Let’s keep working together to help kids be kids.”Anyone can report tips on criminal activities or potential harm directed at students, school employees or schools.

A Michigan State Police trooper has been suspended after he struck a handcuffed drunken driving suspect in the face, officials said.

LANSING, MI – Michiganders shouldn’t be concerned when alarms are heard across the state on Wednesday, March 23. State officials are urging residents to participate in a voluntary statewide tornado drill at 1 p.m. as part of Michigan’s Severe Weather Awareness Week, which runs through March 26. Businesses, organizations, families, and individuals are encouraged to engage in this statewide preparedness activity but are not required to do so. “Last summer in Michigan, we saw the devastating impacts of severe weather, from flooding to tornadoes and straight-line winds,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer in a statement. By planning now, you can be better prepared when a disaster happens.”During the drill residents will observe or hear alerts on NOAA Weather Radios, TV and radio stations.

Detroit police say Nashwan Ali, who was wanted in connection with the fatal shooting of his sister, was arrested in Tennesse.

According to an update from the university, masks will be optional on campus including in offices, residence halls and at athletic events.

According to the Macomb County Sheriff's Office, Nicholas Thompson, of Detroit, is charged with one count of malicious destruction of a building $20,000 or more and one count of malicious destruction of fire or police property.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Michigan State Police Director Col. Joe Gasper announced the first charges filed in an ongoing investigation involving the Boy Scouts of America.

One Detroit covers MSP racial disparity in traffic stops, Gov. Whitmer's proposed $74 billion state budget and Kresge artist Olayami Dabls.

Trooper Paden Sampsel of Tecumseh Township has been assigned to serve Monroe and Lenawee counties.

FLINT, MI—The Michigan State Police Flint Post was recognized by Michigan State Police Director Col. Joe Gasper and members of his leadership team during a recent award ceremony. The post was presented Thursday, Feb. 17 with the Community Policing Outstanding Achievement Award, which recognizes an innovative initiative developed to promote teamwork to help solve a community issue, the agency said in a news release. The award was given to the Flint Post for its “Building Up the Block” program, a community policing initiative created and implemented in 2021. The idea came from a group of state police troopers who wanted to create a new type of outreach program to build community relationships and reduce violent crime. The Marshall Post received an Honorable Mention for its efforts to add life-saving safety lighting to Amish buggies.

American Black Journal host Stephen Henderson examines the results of an independent study from the Michigan State University School of Criminal Justice showing African Americans were stopped by Michigan State Police troopers at disproportionately high rates in 2020. The study also showed Black and Hispanic drivers were more likely to be searched and arrested after a traffic stop. Stephen sits down with Michigan State Police Director Col. Joe Gasper and Michigan Department of Civil Rights Executive Director John E. Johnson, Jr. to investigate the findings and the steps being taken to address these racial disparities. Subscribe to Detroit Public Television’s YouTube Channel & Don’t miss American Black Journal on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m and Sunday at 9:30 a.m. on Detroit Public TV, WTVS-Channel 56. Watch American Black Journal on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 9:30 a.m. on Detroit Public TV, WTVS-Channel 56.

BAY CITY, MI - As road crews across Bay County get ready for another winter storm to head their way, the question remains - how much snow will Bay County see? A forecast map that was issued at 1:21 p.m. on Tuesday by the NWS shows northern Bay County receiving very little precipitation to the extreme southern portion of Bay County sitting in the 6-7″ range. Whatever the storm throws at Bay County, crews are ready to respond to the snowfall. Meanwhile, counties to the south, including Genesee county are currently under a winter storm warning where heavier snowfall is predicted to fall. Areas south of Bay County are expected to take the brunt of the storm so those who need to travel should take caution.

Michigan State Police are encouraging people in Michigan to prepare as a major winter storm approaches.

This Week on American Black Journal:Host Stephen Henderson examines the results of an independent study from the Michigan State University School of Criminal Justice showing African Americans were stopped by Michigan State Police troopers at disproportionately high rates in 2020. The study also showed Black and Hispanic drivers were more likely to be searched and arrested after a traffic stop. Stephen sits down with Michigan State Police Director Col. Joe Gasper and Michigan Department of Civil Rights Executive Director John E. Johnson, Jr. to investigate the findings and the steps being taken to address these racial disparities. Plus, American Black Journal kicks off its celebration of Black History Month with a look inside the life and legacy of the late Dr. Charles H. Wright, the founder of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. BridgeDetroit Engagement Director Orlando Bailey meets with the Wright Museum’s Director of Design and Fabrication Kevin Davidson to talk about Dr. Wright’s influence on himself and other African Americans living in Detroit, as well as the vision for creating and expanding the museum facility, which was once the largest African American historical museum in the world.

Michigan State Police are pledging to take action after an independent study found racial disparities in traffic stops by troopers. The study, conducted by Michigan...

The leader of the Michigan State Police pledged changes Wednesday as the agency released an independent report finding that troopers disproportionately pulled over Black drivers in 2020 traffic stops.

Here are tonight's top stories.

A study commissioned by Michigan State Police found racial and ethnic disparities in the outcomes of traffic stops conducted by troopers in 2020.

More than $44 million in federal funding has been made available to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) for costs related to the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.

A federal judge granted summary judgement in three civil lawsuits filed by white male police officers against the Michigan State Police (MSP), alleging that they were discriminated and retaliated against because of their race and gender. U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan Judge Robert J. Jonker dismissed the cases brought by Plaintiffs Robert Hahn, Michael Caldwell and Michael McCormick in orders filed Monday. In March 2020, Caldwell was demoted from his position as captain and Hahn was fired from his former position as state police inspector. The order states that the plaintiffs of this case simply disagree with the policies and priorities of the MSP. The Michigan Constitution forbids affirmative action in the hiring of government workers, based on a ballot initiative passed by voters in 2006.

INGHAM COUNTY, MI -- Michigan State Police troopers rescued three men from a fiery wrong-way crash involving three vehicles on U.S. 127 Wednesday night. The trooper immediately attempted to rescue the driver of the truck, whose vehicle was fully engulfed in flames, police said. The officers were able to slow the spread of the fire and rescue that driver, police said. The driver of the third vehicle, a 19-year old man from Leslie, was also taken by ambulance to Sparrow Hospital, police said. The crash remains under investigation, but alcohol does appear to be a factor, police said.

LANSING, MI - The Boy Scouts of America filed for bankruptcy more than a year ago pending tens of thousands of child sexual abuse claims. Flash forward to Tuesday, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel launched a joint investigation with the Michigan State Police to unearth more of these abuses. Nessel and the MSP are asking the public to report examples of abuse through their anonymous hotline at 844-324-3374. “My department has proven our commitment to accountability through similar sex abuse investigations and I believe-with the public’s help-we can secure justice for survivors who endured abuse through Boy Scouts of America,” Nessel said in a statement. It also filed to create a fund to compensate male victims of sex abuse by scoutmasters and other leaders, the AP reportedThe Boy Scouts of America is dealing with more than 80,000 sexual abuse claims globally, the AP reported.

FLINT TWP, MI -- The Genesee County Prosecutor’s Office has authorized criminal charges against a Michigan State Police officer after a September crash that caused the death of a woman’s unborn child. The charges come after an investigation into a Sept. 14, 2020, traffic crash in Flint Township. The driver of the patrol vehicle was transported to an area hospital for treatment and was released a short time later. The passenger of the patrol vehicle was not injured. Read more on MLive:Police identify Flint woman shot multiple times, killed in homeMan critically injured in shooting at Flint apartment complex17-year-old boy fatally shot in FlintMan charged in Flint shooting that left 1 dead, 1 criticalMan dies after being shot multiple times in FlintMorning shooting in Flint leaves one hospitalizedMan charged with murder in shooting death of 16-year-old in Flint

LANSING, Mich. – A Michigan State Police trooper has been charged with felonious assault in connection with a traffic stop in which he let his police dog attack a motorist despite no resistance, the agency said Friday. Parker Surbrook was charged following the Nov. 13 traffic stop in Lansing where a passenger was believed to be armed, state police said. Surbrook let his dog attack the driver “for an extended period of time,” police said. Surbrook joined the state police in 2012 and he became a canine handler in 2017. He's been removed from the canine unit and will remain on unpaid suspension while the criminal charge is pending, police said.

A Michigan State Police canine handler was charged Friday with felonious assault for siccing his dog on a suspect for several minutes after he had already surrendered in Lansing.Trooper Parker Surbrook has been suspended without pay and was charged in 54-A District Court in Lansing. The car fled and crashed into a tree.When Surbrook arrived, he deployed his canine on the driver, who was on the ground and injured from the crash. Stop him!” Surbrook told the canine. Joe Gasper, director of the Michigan State Police, said Surbrook’s actions crossed the line.“The Michigan State Police is an agency that prides itself in our troopers’ abilities to react with calm and confidence even in the most dangerous and harrowing of circumstances,” Gasper said in a statement. This makes Trooper Surbrook’s disregard of the driver’s pleas for help totally unacceptable.”You can see the video below.

The Legislature has also canceled session next week, citing law enforcement's concerns about “credible threats regarding events" at the Capitol. Gretchen Whitmer activated the National Guard, the state police continued to augment its presence at the Capitol and crews installed a 6-foot, chain-link fence around the 142-year-old building before expected protests ahead of President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration. The Legislature on Friday also canceled session next week, citing law enforcement's concerns about “credible threats regarding events" at the Capitol. Troopers were being mobilized from across the state and will be joined by the National Guard and local law enforcement. Maj. Gen. Paul Rogers, adjutant general of the Michigan Army and Air National Guard, said Whitmer — at the request of local officials — had activated troops to help protect people, facilities and key infrastructure.

LANSING, Mich. – Government buildings in Lansing are boarded up in preparation of an expected armed protest at the state Capitol. In addition to heavy police presence the Michigan National Guard has been activated by Gov. The Lansing Police Department announced that there is an event planned for noon at the Michigan Capitol on Sunday, Jan. 17. Gen. Michael McDaniel, who served as the assistant general for Homeland Security, Michigan National Guard. Michigan State Police, working with the Michigan National Guard and FBI, says that have increased personnel and protective measures at the Capitol and in Downtown Lansing.

(AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)LANSING, Mich. – Law enforcement agencies across Michigan are stepping up security measures at the Capitol and in surrounding areas to prepare for expected armed protests starting this weekend. Michigan State Police, working with the Michigan National Guard and FBI, says that have increased personnel and protective measures at the Capitol and in Downtown Lansing. The Lansing Police Department announced that there is an event planned for noon at the Michigan Capitol on Sunday, Jan. 17. “I can assure you that we take our responsibility for safeguarding the Capitol and those who work and visit here seriously and, together with our law enforcement partners, we will be prepared to ensure law and order.”On Friday, Michigan Gov. The FBI has warned local law enforcement agencies in all 50 states of possible armed protests at state Capitol buildings starting this weekend.

LANSING, Mich. – Officials in Lansing are on high alert as new precautions are being taken ahead of expected protests Saturday and Sunday. After the deadly siege on the U.S. Capitol Building that left five dead, Michigan State Police raised the number of troopers patrolling Lansing. We just ask you do it safely and you respect our city, respect our state Capitol,” said Lansing Police chief Daryl Green. Militia group advises members to avoid protest at Michigan CapitolMichigan State Police are preparing for a protest expected Sunday at the state Capitol. A group that had planned to protest is now telling its members to avoid the Capitol.

The Best & Worst States For Working ParentsThe website Business.org just released a list of which states are best for working parents. Two Vehicles Have Been Added To The National Historic Vehicle Register For 2020The Historic Vehicle Association (HVA) announces the 27th and 28th vehicles to be added to the National Historic Vehicle Register. The Best 2021 Private High Schools In MichiganNiche is a website that rates schools across the country on a variety of criteria. In their recent list, they analyzed and came back with a list of the best private high schools in Michigan. In their recent list, they analyzed and came back with a list of the best high schools in Michigan.

MOUNT PLEASANT, MI — A member of the Michigan State Police Mount Pleasant Post has received the department’s 2020′s Trooper of the Year Award. Joseph McMillan, honored with the 2020 Dr. Carl A. Gerstacker Trooper of the Year Award. “They represent the connection your State Police seeks to make every single day in communities across Michigan. The Gerstacker Trooper of the Year Award recognizes the MSP trooper or sergeant who symbolizes outstanding professional ethics, dedication to duty and a concern for giving back to their community. Prior to serving at the Mount Pleasant Post, he served at the former Bridgeport Post and the Tri-City Post.

Are You A Detroit Lions Super Fan? Then We Need You!CBS is calling on Detroit Lions fans to celebrate the Lions. We need you to submit their video showing how you are the ultimate fan! Titans-Ravens Preview: Look For 'Battle Of Wills' In The Run Game, Says Rich GannonThe Ravens and Titans, who are both coming off of disappointing losses, will look to control the game on the ground. Pistons Aggressive In DraftIf there were any doubt that new general manager Troy Weaver would be willing to shake up the Detroit Pistons, it's obvious now.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan officials have banned the open carry of firearms at voting locations, clerk’s offices and absent voting counting boards on Election Day. “The presence of firearms at the polling place, clerk’s office(s), or absent voter counting board may cause disruption, fear, or intimidation for voters, election workers, and others present. READ: Is Michigan an open carry gun state? “Michigan voters have the right to vote in person on Election Day free from threat and intimidation. If you are in danger at the polls you should call 911 before alerting an election worker.

click to enlarge Steve NeavlingPolling station in Detroit. “I am committed to ensuring all eligible Michigan citizens can freely exercise their fundamental right to vote without fear of threats, intimidation or harassment. “An armed presence at the polls is inconsistent with our notion of a free democracy. I stand with the Secretary in her commitment to ensure that every eligible voter who wants to vote in person can do so safely and without fear or intimidation.”People who witness voter intimidation or other unlawful conduct at the polls are asked to report the incident to an election worker. In the event of an emergency, Benson encourages voters to call 911 before informing an election worker.You can learn more about different ways to vote on or before Tuesday, Nov. 3 with our voter guide

DETROIT – Michigan State Police has launched a new site where they are publishing data on traffic stops and other arrests broken down by county, race and other factors. Michigan State Police (MSP) Director Col. Joe Gasper today announced the creation of a new Transparency and Accountability webpage that provides the public with easy access to information about the administration and operation of the MSP. Information includes department policies, strategic plan, training requirements, recruiting and staffing numbers and use of force and traffic stop data, among other topics. MSP said much of the information posted on the webpage was already publicly available, but the new webpage puts it all in one location for ease of access. Once this advanced research and analysis is completed, the results will be shared publicly.

LANSING, Mich. A trooper who was struck by a drunk driver while on duty on July 10 has died, according to police. Caleb Starr joined the Michigan State Police in Sept. 2018, as a member of the 135th Trooper Recruit School. He is survived by his wife, Rachael, who is a civilian member of the MSP, and their two young daughters. Starr was westbound on Grand River Avenue when a vehicle traveling east, driven by a 28-year-old woman from Utah crossed the center line. Charges are pending against the driver from Utah, who is believed to still be hospitalized, according to police.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel created a new task force to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of fraud in the unemployment insurance program amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The task force plans to use IP addresses and financial records to identify and prosecute the fraudsters. Officials say this year’s surge in unemployment claims from Michigan families due to the COVID-19 crisis and the urgency to process the claims created opportunities for fraudsters to exploit the system. MORE: Scammers causing even more delays for Michigan unemployment systemThe task force will be led by Nessel, the U.S. Department of Labor, Michigan State Police (MSP) and the Michigan departments of Labor and Economic Opportunity, Management & Budget and Treasury. “Our message to those who wish to fraudulently benefit from the COVID-19 crisis is that we’re watching and you will be caught.”Individuals can report fraud in the unemployment insurance program online here.

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As Michigan continues to battle an opioid epidemic that has claimed the lives of thousands, state officials have reported a slight decrease in overdose deaths. Its a 3.2% decrease from 2017s figures, which were 2,686 overdose deaths. Opioids, such as Oxycontin and heroin, continue to produce high numbers of overdose deaths in the county despite widespread efforts to battle the epidemic. Across the state, its the first decline in overdose deaths in six years, according to a MDHHS press release. Col. Joe Gasper, director of the Michigan State Police, said his department is committed to continuing to combat opioid epidemic in the state.

Michigan State Police are stepping up traffic enforcement ahead of Memorial Day weekend. Troopers will take part in three traffic safety initiatives over the Memorial Day holiday weekend in an effort to reduce or eliminate serious injury and fatal traffic crashes. (Crash Awareness and Reduction Efforts), Click it or Ticket and the 6 State Trooper Project. “The MSP wants drivers to make safe driving decisions this holiday weekend,” said Col. Joe Gasper, director of the MSP. Last year, 15 fatal traffic crashes resulted in 19 deaths over the Memorial Day weekend, the most fatalities over the Memorial Day holiday weekend since 2014.