Saline Police Department To House Michigan State Police Troopers

You might see state troopers in town more often this fall.

The is offering local Michigan State Police troopers the ability to use a room in the station.

In March, the state announced it was closing 21 of the state’s 62 posts as part of a reorganization that is expected to save $21 million. Before the changes, Washtenaw troopers were based out of Ypsilanti Post 26 in District 2. When the changes take effect in October, local troopers will be based out of the Brighton Post 12 in District 1.

Saline Police Chief Paul Bunten said the department is offering the space to the troopers free of charge.

“It’s just the right thing to do. Law enforcement supports each other in any way possible,” Bunten said.

He said four troopers will use an office in the department.

“Mostly, they will use the office for interviews,” Bunten said. “They’ll be spread out over the 24-hour day, so it will be rare to have more than one trooper in the station at any given time.”

With all of the technology in the vehicles these days, Bunten said the troopers would spend most of the day in their cars.

According to the plan, 21 posts are to close in October and 12 other posts will become detachments where officers start and finish their shifts, meet the public and perform administrative tasks.

Officials from the Brighton Post did not return phone calls.