Michigan lawmakers probe low morale, 98% no‑confidence vote in State Police leadership

Colonel James Grady, director of the Michigan State Police, told the Michigan House Oversight Committee on Oct. 26, 2025, that he has pushed for pay raises, expanded recruiting and training initiatives, and launched an agencywide action plan in response to low morale and survey results, but legislators pressed him about a 98% vote of no confidence reported by rank‑and‑file members and other personnel and budget concerns.

The committee convened to question Grady about the results of two recent measures — the ICE survey and an employee engagement survey — and a membership vote organized by troopers’ associations that, legislators said, recorded 1,167 “no” votes and 18 “yes” votes on confidence in Grady and Lieutenant Colonel Amy Brimacombe. Chair Mueller said the committee needed to “get to the bottom of it” after hearing that level of dissent.

The results matter because committee members said the votes and survey comments describe systemic problems that could affect public safety and agency function. Representative Snyder told the hearing, “So it's my understanding there's nearly 700 vacancies in the department right now and 500 of those are at the trooper level,” a figure Grady…