Observing The Michigan State Police During A Ride-Along

Kudos to all those involved in law enforcement.  I have so much respect for the ones who serve our community.  With that being said, I got a chance to shadow a trooper for a day.

I've always wanted to go on a police "ride-along" and now I can cross that off my bucket list!

Thanks to Trooper Joshua Reeber from the Ypsilanti post.  He offered me a chance to do a full 12-hour shift on Friday July 8th, from 6 pm to 6 am.  Although I worked my crazy hours all week and only took a three hour nap, I would not have missed this chance!

The Michigan State Police at the Ypsilanti post support many neighboring towns, along with the help of the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department.  I knew we were going to have many different assignments, not just traffic stops.

There are rules to be a part of a ride-along.  First, you have to sign a waiver and watch a short video about the history of Michigan State Police.  Then, you get fitted for a bullet-proof vest.  The vest was very uncomfortable to wear, especially since it had to be worn for the full 12 hours, unless you take a break at the post.  Trooper Reeber reminded me though, God forbid something bad happens, being wearing an uncomfortable vest will be the least of my concerns.

I showed up around 5:30 pm to get started.  Part of the preparation included learning how to protect myself in a worst-case scenario.  If the trooper with me is attacked, I need to know how to save myself.  Trooper Reeber showed me how with a M4.

The first hour was spent catching up on paperwork and making follow-up phone calls from the prior shift.  Then we had to answer our first call.

This was a domestic violence issue from the night before.  A couple facing divorce fought Thursday night.  By Friday, the wife claimed to have bruises from the night before, so we had to go over to her house to take pictures of the alleged injuries.

On the way to her house, we made traffic stop.

Someone was speeding more than 15 mph over the limit on a local road.

Here is some advice that I got after witnessing these traffic stops: don't lie to the trooper.

If you were speeding, just admit it!

Don't make their job harder by arguing or denying anything.  Trust me, it works.

By 10 pm, we got a call about a car fire in Augusta Township.  When we arrived, a 2010 Ford Flex was fully engulfed by flames in a ditch.  The fire spread to nearby brush and trees.  We were the first ones on the scene.  Luckily, no one was inside the vehicle.  A neighbor who made the 911 call was there, but couldn't offer much information.  The fire department responded quickly and within a few minutes, the fire was out.

Turns out, the car was apparently reported stolen from a Detroit casino and ended up here.

Barely getting a break, we were off to our next call.  It was also in Augusta.  We responded to a call by a concerned neighbor, who witnessed teens fighting.  By the time we got there, a teen girl was already taken to her home in a nearby town.  Turns out, she may have overdosed and was sent to a local hospital.  We went to the hospital to check on her.  When everything seem stable, we went on with our shift.

We barely had a minute to take a break.  It was a busy night.  The trooper warned me about Friday and Saturday nights being hectic, sure enough it was.

I give so much credit to those who risk their lives to protect ours.  Law enforcement officials do not get enough credit!  There are not enough "thank you's" that can be said to show my appreciation.  But I will say thank you to Trooper Reeber for allowing me to accompany him on this ride-along.