The additional staff means more troopers out on the roads starting Monday.
TRAVERSE CITY -- Making sure drivers follow the law is what state police look out for, and you can expect to see more of them enforcing drivers' safety starting next Monday.
"There was some concern that they wouldn't be coming back but Thursday we confirmed that 55 troopers would be coming back," says Lieutenant William Elliott with the Traverse City State Police Post.
Lieutenant Elliot says the 55 recalls include troopers from two different recruitment classes that were part of 100 layoffs back in June.
However, with a newly signed state budget funds are now available for some of the positions, including one in Traverse City.
"Trooper Pat Gallagher who was in the 121st recruit school....Prior to being laid off he was getting ready to start working the road by himself," says Lieutenant Elliott.
Other northern Michigan posts in the seventh district recalling troopers include: Kalkaska, Petoskey, Manistee and Houghton Lake.
"Obviously we're going to have more people so we'll be able to have better coverage, better visibility and provide better service to the public," says Lieutenant Elliott.
Having the additional man power at the Traverse City post won't just impact Grand Traverse County but also the surrounding area when it comes to patrols.
"The extra body is going to be a great help to all of us. Currently we have two people assigned permanently to Benzie County so this additional body here will probably most benefit Grand Traverse County. However, Trooper Gallagher will be available to work in both Leelanau and Benzie county as well," says Lieutenant Elliott.
Lieutenant Elliot says the trooper recalls are based on seniority and also academic rankings within the recruitment classes.
