Michigan state trooper charged with assault for dog attack
LANSING, Mich. โ 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 โfor an extended period of time,โ 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.
Michigan Capitol on alert ahead of expected protest at noon Sunday
LANSING, Mich. โ 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.
Michigan law enforcement on armed Capitol protests this weekend: โWe will be preparedโ
(AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)LANSING, Mich. โ 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. โI 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.โOn 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.
MSP increases Trooper patrols, protective measures in Lansing ahead of expected protests
LANSING, Mich. โ 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,โ 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.
Michigan bans open carry of firearms at voting locations on Election Day
LANSING, Mich. โ Michigan officials have banned the open carry of firearms at voting locations, clerkโs offices and absent voting counting boards on Election Day. โThe presence of firearms at the polling place, clerkโs 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? โMichigan 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.
Michigan State Police posts traffic stop data, says rise in stops involving Black drivers โmerits reviewโ
DETROIT โ 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.
Michigan State Police trooper dies after being struck by suspected drunk driver
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.
New task force to identify, prosecute unemployment insurance fraud in Michigan
LANSING, Mich. โ 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 yearโs 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. โOur message to those who wish to fraudulently benefit from the COVID-19 crisis is that weโre watching and you will be caught.โIndividuals can report fraud in the unemployment insurance program online here.
Michigan State Police to drivers: Expect to see troopers this weekend
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. โThe MSP wants drivers to make safe driving decisions this holiday weekend,โ 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.