A while back, the Daily Mining Gazette published an article written by Sgt. Robert Carter which gave some history of the Michigan State Police. I’d like to expand on that with additional information regarding the Calumet Post specifically and the services we provide.

Troopers patrolled here back in 1917 as the Michigan State Troops Permanent Force (aka the Michigan State Constabulary). The purpose was to establish a temporary, wartime emergency force to help handle domestic security. In March of 1919, Public Act 26 reorganized and recognized the constabulary as the permanent, peacetime Michigan State Police. Michigan adopted a new constitution in 1963 authorizing up to 20 departments. Public Act 380 of 1965 reorganized the Michigan State Police as one of these departments.

Though mounted detachments of the Michigan State Constabulary patrolled the copper country, a long-term presence wasn’t established until the late 1920s. For several years, the constabulary operated out of small, summer posts in Calumet. The first permanent post opened in the D. Haas building in Houghton in 1931. It was forced to close in 1932 due to budget shortfalls.

A new post was opened in Calumet on a Rockland Street mining office in 1956. This post remained in service until 1996, when a new post was constructed on US 41 just south of Calumet. This remained open until 2007 when budget issues forced a closure of the post, but not State Police services.The post operations continued as we worked out of a vacant bank on Hecla Street in Laurium. The Department of State Police purchased the prior US 41 post in 2008 and has been operating ever since.

In 2011, the Department of Michigan State Police closed 21 of its posts throughout the state. One of these was the L’Anse Post, which had been operating since 1935. Troopers still continued operations in the area, but more or less merged with the Calumet post, sharing responsibilities. An office space in the Baraga Correctional Facility is utilized by troopers assigned to the original L’Anse post area.

The post coverage areas expanded and operations are now based out of the Calumet Post. Our post area extends from Copper Harbor to Michigamme and west to the Misery Bay area.

Currently, 22 people are assigned to the Calumet Post. This includes two civilian secretaries, one post commander, one detective sergeant, two road sergeants, one administrative sergeant, and 15 troopers.

Of troopers assigned to the Calumet Post, many have specialized training or duties to handle a variety of criminal investigations, non-criminal matters, traffic safety, patrols, community service functions, and other duties.

We have six crime scene technicians, four field training officers, four advanced accident investigators, three child safety seat technicians, two salvage vehicle inspectors, two firearms instructors, two firearm armorers, two defensive tactics instructors, one emergency support team tactical member, one emergency support team hostage negotiator, one canine handler, one advanced fire investigator, one drug recognition expert and a community service trooper. Many of the troopers take on several disciplines to handle these duties.

The Michigan State Police have existed for 99 years, and we strive to carry on a proud tradition of service through excellence, integrity and courtesy. We are looking forward to continuing this tradition through the department’s 100-year anniversary in 2017. We here at the Calumet Post wish to thank our communities for their support.

The Calumet Post will be hosting our annual open house on June 17 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. We’d like to welcome the public to stop in, tour the facility and meet some of the MSP Calumet personnel.

Matt Djerf is the community service trooper for the Michigan State Police – Calumet Post #87.