New UP police officers prepare for wet, icy road conditions

MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) - New U.P. police officers took their training by the wheel on Wednesday.

The Northern Michigan University Regional Police Academy prepared students for the job during its 15-week course. That includes defensive driving skills. The academy took officers for an educational ride in its skid car. The demonstration prepares students for low-traction situations.

“A little nervous to be honest, you know, you hear it in the background, the skidding noise, it’s like, oh boy,” said Taylor Rowland, an academy student. “But I’m really excited. It’s definitely a good experience to be able to feel the different simulated road conditions before I hit the road.”

NMU Regional Police Academy Training Coordinator Nate Dawson says an instructor creates controlled spins and slides. Meanwhile, the student driver learns how to tackle wet and icy conditions.

“Patrol cars are just like everyone else’s vehicle,” he said. “They’re susceptible to slipping and sliding, and losing control, so officers have to learn how to safely get to the call they’re going on, even during an emergency.”

Officers like Rowland, who is moving from the Lansing area to join the NMU Police Department. The pavement may be hot during summer, but she says U.P. winters can create unique driving conditions compared to downstate.

“Downstate, it’s a lot more highway driving, so you’re gonna get a lot of cleared out roads,” Rowland said. “You don’t deal with much ice on main roads. Whereas up here, it’s a lot more backroads and smaller roads. It’s a lot harder to get them cleared in time.”

You’ll also see Dylan Hoey driving on U.P. roads as a Marquette Police Department officer. He says the more prepared he is, the better he’ll serve the community.

“I want to be able to do as much as I can for the community, and when people call, they want help, and they want help as soon as possible, and I want to be able to respond quickly but also safely so I’m not endangering other people and I’m keeping myself safe,” he said.

They look forward to keeping you and the roads safe.

The video above will feature the TV6 livestream until staff can clip the corresponding story, if available, from broadcasts or other TV6 content. You can subscribe to our YouTube page or download TV6+ to stream the latest local news and weather.