Local

UPSET gets new commander

MARQUETTE -- The Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team is getting a new commanding officer.

The Michigan State Police has announced the promotion of Detective Sergeant Matthew LaBonte to detective lieutenant, where he will oversee UPSET.

The Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force serving all 15 counties of the Upper Peninsula. Its mission is to reduce the impact of illegal drugs through enforcement, education and community awareness, according to Lt. Ben Eckola, Eighth District public information officer.

“UPSET works closely with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to investigate and disrupt the use, distribution and sale of illegal narcotics throughout the U.P.,” Eckola said in a press release. “In addition to its role completing criminal drug investigations, UPSET also helps keep Upper Peninsula communities safer by working to prevent drug-related crime and educate the public about the dangers of narcotics.”

LaBonte will oversee the operations of the task force throughout the Upper Peninsula. He brings extensive experience in narcotics enforcement and task force operations, including having previously served as a detective sergeant assigned to UPSET.

He enlisted with the MSP in 2000 and graduated as a member of the 119th Trooper Recruit School. During his career, he has served at the Reed City post, Gladstone post and UPSET. He is also a former member of the MSP Emergency Support Team and has served in the ranks of trooper, sergeant, detective sergeant and now detective lieutenant.

LaBonte graduated from Escanaba High School and earned a bachelor's degree from Northern Michigan University.