House oversight panel grills Michigan State Police leader after trooper no-confidence vote

Colonel James Grady, director of the Michigan State Police, testified before the Michigan House Committee on Oversight’s subcommittee on Michigan State Police Appropriations during a public hearing about internal surveys and a vote of no confidence that found large majorities of troopers and command staff opposed to current leadership.

The issue matters because committee members said the scale of dissatisfaction — and specific allegations, including retaliation and doxxing of troopers — could undermine morale, retention and public-safety operations across the state.

Grady told the committee he has launched worksite visits, an agencywide action plan tied to employee-engagement surveys and recruiting initiatives, and said the department has added troopers and earned CALEA accreditation. “I hold myself accountable by coming in and setting the example every day,” Grady said. He told the panel he and his leadership team developed the department’s current strategic plan after reviewing survey results and meeting with staff across Michigan.

But legislators repeatedly pressed Grady about recent survey findings and an external vote reported by the Michigan Troopers Association. Representative Mueller, the committee chair, said the association reported roughly 75%…