By Mary Drier (Contact / Staff Bio)
November 10, 2009 - 01:43 p.m. EST

LANSING — After months of cuts, budget adjustments and line-item vetoes, the “boys in blue” are back... at least some of them.

In July, 100 Michigan State Police troopers were cut statewide to help the state’s budget problem. The MSP posts in Caro and Bad Axe were among those that lost troopers.

“From what I hear from human services, Caro is going to get two troopers back, and the Bad Axe Post one,” said MSP Commander Doug Lautner, who is in charge at both Thumb posts.

“I think they will be returned to the same posts they left.”

Each of the area postss had been cut two troopers.

“I’m hearing they might be back as soon as Nov. 16,” said Lautner.

Lautner knows the state is facing some major budget problems and although expenses have to be trimmed, public safety is always foremost in his mind.

When he was asked what the number of troopers at the posts is now, Lautner responded, “Almost enough.”

Since 2000, the state has lost about 2,000 police officers, 431 of which were troopers.

Michigan has the lowest ratio of police officers per population in the U.S. - one per 472 residents, according to MSP President Mike Moorman.

Interestingly, the MSP hasn’t always done just law enforcement agency. Back when the agency was founded, it was called the Michigan State Constabulary, created as a type of homeland security as World War I was being fought overseas.

An emergency service unit was needed during World War I as a replacement for the National Guard for domestic security, so the constabulary was created.

According to the state’s MSP history Web site, on April 19, 1916, the Michigan State Troops Permanent Force of mounted units and dismounted units was created. The mounted troopers rode horses and the dismounted ones had motor vehicles.

Michigan Gov. Albert Sleeper, who was originally from Caseville, was chairman of the “War Preparedness Board” created the unit to protect domestic security. It was their job to guard war production facilities and also to enforce the liquor trafficking laws back during Prohibition.

Sleeper was impressed with the constabulary’s performance during wartime service. He signed into law legislation that permanently established the Department of Michigan State Police with P.A. 26 on March 27, 1919.

Mary Drier is a staff writer for the Tuscola County Advertiser. She can be reached at drier@tcadvertiser.com.