Michigan State Police Trooper Evan Alkema of the Wayland post has been selected as Trooper of the Year. In making the announcement, MSP officials said Alkema was selected based on his “exemplary work performance, leadership skills, and extensive community involvement both on and off duty.” Alkema joined the State Police in June 2014 after graduating from the 127th Trooper Recruit School. He was assigned first to the Houghton Lake Post before transferring to Wayland. It was the second award for a local trooper in the last three years, as Blaine Bachman won it two years ago.