Alpena hosts its first Michigan State Police Law Enforcement Career Academy | News, Sports, Jobs

The academy, which has been successfully held three times in the south of the state at Monroe Community College, aims to give select participants ages 16 to 21 a comprehensive insight into careers in the criminal justice system.

This year’s local event, which began Monday and ends Friday, is the product of a collaboration between individuals from ACC, MSP and various local law enforcement agencies.

“We started planning back in September,” said Rob Mills, director of criminal justice at ACC. “The college was fully involved, as was MSP recruitment and selection. Our goal was to give participants an accurate picture of the various jobs available in the criminal justice field – not just as a police officer, but in the command center, forensics, federal and local agencies.”

Taylor Jukanovich, seventh district recruiting officer who covers several counties in Northern Michigan and is helping to run the event, emphasized the importance of community collaboration.

News photo by Temi Fadayomi. Participants of the Michigan State Police Law Enforcement Career Academy are seen in various classes Tuesday.

“We are supported by the local sheriff, city police, city fire department and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources,” she said. “We want participants to interact with law enforcement officers they encounter in their community, encouraging positive interactions.”

Throughout the event, participants work with professionals from various agencies and gain insight into various facets of law enforcement. They attend courses on criminal justice, forensics, evidence collection and defense tactics. In addition, practical exercises such as patrolling and first aid are offered to provide hands-on experience.

“The students were divided into groups, each led by cadets already employed by the state police or other natural leaders,” Jukanovich said. “This structure helped guide the group and ensured that everyone got a thorough understanding of each role.”

In addition to police-related topics, the academy also offered sessions on mental fitness to address the importance of this skill post-COVID-19.

“The feedback from students has been consistently positive, especially regarding the mental fitness component,” said Mills. “It’s a life skill that is valuable no matter what career path they choose.”

Courtesy of: All 18 participants of the Michigan State Police Law Enforcement Career Academy are seen in this undated photo, courtesy of.

Participants also had the opportunity to tour local law enforcement facilities such as the Alpena County Sheriff’s Office and Public Safety Building, which provided real-world context to their learning.

Another unique aspect of the Academy is its residential concept. Students live in student dormitories to encourage better participation and provide a more immersive experience for selected participants.

The selection process for the academy also includes participation in college fairs and career information evenings, with the college leveraging its partnerships with over 30 high schools.

Applicants were asked to submit handwritten essays outlining their interest in the criminal justice field and their expectations of the academy. This process helped organizers tailor the curriculum to the wants and needs of participants.

“We had an overwhelming response,” said Mills. “We originally had about 34 applicants, but we had to narrow it down due to scheduling conflicts. Ultimately, we had 18 committed participants.”

News photo by Temi Fadayomi. Participants of the Michigan State Police Law Enforcement Career Academy are seen in various courses Tuesday.

Both Mills and Jukanovich expressed their intention to make the academy an annual event in Alpena.

“We want to improve our promotional efforts and involve the community more next time,” Mills said.

“Every law enforcement agency needs new recruits, from state police to local fire departments,” Jukanovich said. “We want to attract as many candidates as possible and show them the value of public service.”

Reach Temi Fadayomi at 989-358-5693 or [email protected].

News photo by Temi Fadayomi. Participants of the Michigan State Police Law Enforcement Career Academy are seen in various classes Tuesday.

News photo by Temi Fadayomi. Participants of the Michigan State Police Law Enforcement Career Academy are seen in various classes Tuesday.