Capitol News

State Representative Mike Mueller (R-Linden) questioned Michigan State Police Director Colonel James Grady during a joint committee meeting of the House Oversight Committee and the Appropriations Subcommittee on the Michigan State Police. The hearing followed a vote of no confidence by the Michigan State Police Troopers Association, where over 98% of participating troopers expressed non-confidence in Grady's leadership.

Mueller raised concerns about employee engagement survey results, reported retaliation against troopers who spoke out about leadership abuses, and the promotion circumstances of Lieutenant Colonel Brimacombe, Grady's second-in-command.

“Right now, our troopers have record-low morale and record-low confidence in their leadership,” said Mueller. He criticized Grady for providing "pre-scripted political answers" instead of addressing concerns directly.

Grady was questioned about promoting Brimacombe from first lieutenant to lieutenant colonel despite her disciplinary record and lack of supervisory experience. He acknowledged knowing she had never supervised troopers before her promotion but cited his authority to promote anyone as justification. Grady also awarded Brimacombe a nearly $10,000 performance bonus four months into her tenure, bypassing department policy requiring a year in position for bonus eligibility.

“Just because Col. Grady had the authority to do something doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do,” Mueller stated. He suggested that both Grady and Brimacombe should resign to allow for healing within the agency.

Grady expressed skepticism about the employee engagement survey's validity due to its anonymity and similar responses across submissions.

“The results of the survey and the vote of no confidence speak for themselves,” Mueller responded. He emphasized ongoing efforts to address issues within state police leadership until trooper satisfaction is achieved.