Capitol News

State Representative Mike Mueller has called for the resignation of Colonel James Grady and Lieutenant Colonel Aimee Brimacombe following a decisive vote of no confidence from the Michigan State Police Troopers Association (MSPTA). The association reported that 98.48% of its members expressed a lack of confidence in the current leadership, with only 1.52% supporting Grady and Brimacombe.

"An overwhelming majority of our troopers have made their voices loud and clear," Mueller stated. "They have no confidence in the current leadership. It is corrupt, dishonest, and doesn’t keep the best interest of its own troopers in mind. If they have any shame, Grady and Brimacombe should resign right now."

Governor Whitmer's office responded on Monday by affirming her "full confidence" in Grady's leadership. Appointed by Whitmer in 2023, Grady subsequently promoted Brimacombe to his second-in-command position three months later. Their tenure has been marred by controversies including self-awarded bonuses, revelations about Brimacombe’s disciplinary record, and allegations of employee mistreatment. Mueller urged Governor Whitmer to reconsider her support.

"If the governor supports our police, then she should admit her mistake here and ask for resignations," said Mueller. "It’s a slap in the face to every man and woman proudly serving in the Michigan State Police when her administration neglects their needs and openly supports the leadership that persecutes them."

Mueller's office has spent a year investigating these issues, gathering statements from troopers, reviewing survey results, and meeting with Colonel Grady as well as representatives from the governor’s office.

"We spent months behind the scenes collecting evidence and hoping to get this resolved in private," said Mueller. "I didn’t want anyone to feel I was casting public doubt upon the state police or our law enforcement officers. But the situation has gotten so dire, and morale has sunk to such an all-time low, there really are no other options."

In May, Mueller testified before the Michigan House Oversight Committee regarding these leadership concerns after facing challenges obtaining cooperation from Grady.

"As chair of the Appropriations Michigan State Police Subcommittee, I’m charged with setting the State’s Police’s fiscal year budget," Mueller explained. "It’s important that we are fiscally responsible with our state’s tax dollars and make funding decisions wisely. How am I supposed to set an appropriate budget and make line-by-line decisions when the leadership of the institution I’m overseeing refuses to work with me or address my concerns of how they are treating their troopers? I didn’t want to go to Oversight but wasn’t able to get necessary documents or cooperation until I did."

Mueller concluded that new leadership is essential for restoring morale within the State Police.

"These troopers who put their lives on line each day feel neglected and abused by very leadership there support them," he said. "The only way fix this colonel lieutenant colonel resign if won’t governor needs prioritize police over politics remove enough enough."