Cost Cutting Moves and Future Troopers
Every level of the government is talking about budget cuts and how to make ends meet. But a viewer heard one proposal that had him asking questions. Why are we talking about closing State Police Posts and at the same time training new troopers in a recruit school? The answers we found are tonight's Fact Finder Report.
Earlier this month Governor Snyder announced his budget proposal. Among the list of cost cutting moves, is a plan to close an undetermined number of State Police Posts
But right now, 38 men and women are in trooper recruit school. This is the first one in 2 years.
Normally the state legislature sets aside money to hold the school, but as I told you in a previous Fact Finder Report, this school is being paid for through federal stimulus money.
So even though the state isn't footing the bill, why train more troopers when there are plans to close posts?
When I called down there, State Police Sgt. Kevin Rod told me it's not so cut and dry.
He says at this point there is no talk of trooper or civilian layoffs. But he says there will be restructuring of field operations so the state police force is more mobile and more regional. The plans also include consolidating dispatch centers and forensic labs.
But this recruit class in particular has an added buffer. The federal money used to fund the school also pays for 3 years of work for the future troopers.
I contacted the governor's office last week to find out how much he plans to save with this proposal. His office is not yet releasing that information, nor are they specifying which posts they might close.
So what do you think about this?
Leave your thoughts below.
