Law enforcement agencies face staffing challenges

ESCANABA, Mich. (WLUC) — UP law enforcement agencies are seeing fewer qualified applicants as positions open.

“I grew up with law enforcement. I always knew what I wanted to be at least since I was a very, very young child,” said Sgt. Patrick Janisse at MSP Gladstone Post.

For Patrick Janisse, working for the Michigan State Police is a dream come true.

“I really can’t put it into words. It is a very honorable experience to be able to serve the members of your community,” said Sgt. Janise.

Janisse has been with MSP for eight years. But at the moment, the MSP Gladstone Post has only 12 soldiers. Normally there are 20 to 25 soldiers.

“It means we are looking for more people and candidates at least to fill vacancies,” said Sgt. Janise.

Another training academy begins at the end of this month and MSP Gladstone expects to recruit three soldiers. This is not a problem unique to the Gladstone Post.

To help recruit more people, the MSP now allows soldiers to return to their hometowns, whereas before, soldiers were sent to new communities.

Likewise, the Marquette County Sheriff says his department has lost a third of its highway patrol.

“This is due to retirements and departures to other agencies,” Marquette County Sheriff Greg Zyburt said.

To compensate for the lack of personnel, the current deputies work a lot of overtime.

“Safety is our primary focus, and we will continue to be there when requested,” Sheriff Zyburt said.

There are currently three cadets in a training program at NMU.

“It takes about a year from the academy to the field training officer to get an officer on the road,” Sheriff Zyburt said.

To learn more about how to become an MSP soldier, click here or call MSP Gladstone at (906) 428-4412 for transportation opportunities. You can also get updates from MSP at Twitter.

To learn more about the Marquette County Sheriff’s Office, click here.

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