Capt. Christopher Gerard, Michigan State Police

MARQUETTE — The new Michigan State Police officer who has been placed in charge of the agency’s 8th District, which comprises the entire Upper Peninsula, has deep ties to the region, hailing from Baraga County.

Capt. Christopher Gerard is commander of the Eighth District effective last Sunday. He is a a graduate of Baraga High School and holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Lake Superior State University and a master’s degree in criminal justice from Northern Michigan University.

“I want the Eighth District to be recognized as the best MSP district to work, live, and raise a family in the state,” he said in a prepared statement. “I was born and raised in the Upper Peninsula and have great pride in the Eighth District, I have worked as a trooper, sergeant and post commander in nine of the 15 counties in the Eighth District. I have also served as a legislative liaison, temporary staff instructor and field training officer.”

Gerard began his law enforcement career in 2003 with the downstate Meridian Township Police Department. He joined the state police in 2010 as part of the 122nd Trooper Recruit School and served as a trooper at the Wayland, Wakefield, Calumet, Negaunee and Rockford posts.

In 2019, he was promoted to sergeant at the government relations section at MSP headquarters in Lansing. About two years later in 2021, he returned to the Negaunee post as a uniform sergeant. In 2023, Gerard was selected to be the post commander at the Wakefield post and in 2024, he transferred to the Gladstone post, where he served as post commander until his promotion to captain of the Eighth District.

“I am invested in and have familiarity with the citizens, community stakeholders, local law enforcement partners, and unique geography throughout the district. The people who represent the MSP can have a great impact on the positivity people feel about their community. My focus for the district will be on employee engagement, recruiting and retention, crime prevention and community engagement,” Gerard said in the statement.

Gerard succeeds Capt. Darren Green, who retired from the position in September after a 25-year career in the state police.

Bud Sargent can be reached at 906-228-2500, extension 544.His email address is bsargent@miningjournal.net.