Southwest Michigan is getting four new Michigan State Police troopers following the graduation of 52 new troopers from the 147th Trooper Recruit School in Lansing this week.

Michigan State Police say the school began on July 7 at the MSP Training Academy. Recruits received training in patrol techniques, report writing, ethics, first aid, criminal law, firearms, water safety, defensive tactics, and precision driving. The Trooper Recruit School is often described as being similar to military training.

The graduation was held Thursday with Governor Gretchen Whitmer on hand to congratulate the recruits. She told them they can expect continued support from her office.

Graduates are assigned to MSP posts all over Michigan, including those in Niles and Paw Paw.

The Niles post is welcoming two recruits with Ryan Peterson of Bangor and Austin Smego of Cassopolis.

The Paw Paw post is also getting two new troopers in Jacob Onderlinde of Kalamazoo and Sean Montroy of Lemont, Illinois.