Capitol News

House Oversight Committee Chair Jay DeBoyer has criticized the leadership of the Michigan State Police (MSP) following recent reports of ongoing scandals within the department.

Two new reports have brought further scrutiny to MSP leadership. One report revealed that the agency paid nearly $70 million in judgments and civil case settlements. Another report detailed a lawsuit filed by two MSP sergeants, who allege that the department’s promotions system is rigged. These incidents add to a series of widely publicized allegations against those at the top of MSP.

“Unfortunately, the bad headlines keep coming for MSP as officers are out in our communities every day serving with integrity, helping fight crime and keeping people safe,” said DeBoyer, who represents Clay Township. “There’s a common denominator with these continued bad headlines – the same leadership is in place.”

DeBoyer and members of the House Oversight Committee have been investigating repeated claims of misconduct involving senior leaders at MSP. The investigation began after allegations surfaced about serial misconduct among top officials, including Director Colonel James Grady and Lieutenant Colonel Aimee Brimacombe. The accusations include favoritism in staff promotions, awarding themselves improper salary bonuses, and implementing restrictive policies that allegedly hinder troopers’ ability to perform their duties.

In June, a poll conducted by the Michigan State Police Troopers Association (MSPTA) found that 98.5% of troopers and 90% of command officers expressed “no confidence” in both Grady and Brimacombe.

Both the MSPTA and the Michigan State Police Command Officers Association have called for Grady and Brimacombe to resign from their positions. Senate Republicans have also urged the governor to remove them from office.

“This isn’t, and shouldn’t be, a political issue. This is an effectiveness issue,” DeBoyer said. “When we see the sheer magnitude of poor judgment and ineffectiveness that we have seen – where it is costing the state and taxpayers tens of millions of dollars and leading to overwhelming sentiment from people within that organization regarding the failed leadership they are seeing, the decision should be an obvious one.

“Failed leaders who draw taxpayer-funded salaries should not remain within their positions. We should all be able to agree on that, and we owe it to taxpayers to stop feeding that ineffectiveness.”