The Michigan State Police post in Jackson will be up to full strength when the second of two laid-off troopers is called back to work next month.

Federal stimulus money and a grant program will pay to recall 31 troopers statewide, including one in Jackson, the state police announced this week.

Staffing in Jackson will increase to 26 troopers, including three on temporary assignments to special units or duties, said First Lt. Jim Shaw, post commander.

"We're very pleased," Shaw said. "We're pleased for the community, pleased for us and pleased for our law-enforcement neighbors."

One hundred troopers were laid off statewide in June, a casualty of Michigan's budget crisis. Two troopers were cut from the Jackson post, both new recruits who had just finished training.

Fifty-five of the laid-off troopers, including one in Jackson, were called back last month, when the state budget approved in Lansing restored money for those positions.

Thirty-one more troopers will be recalled with the next round of callbacks in January. Only 10 troopers in Michigan will remain on layoff status, according to the state police.

Trooper Jonathan Comer will be recalled to the Jackson post next month. Comer graduated one year ago from the state police trooper recruit school.

Comer's position will be funded with stimulus money, which is a temporary funding source.

Shaw said he assumes the callback is permanent.

The trooper will go back to work Jan. 11, but he will have a few days of orientation in Lansing before beginning patrols in Jackson, Shaw said.

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