It's time to reorganize the Michigan State Police | Letter
On June 12, the Free Press reported that the Michigan State Police Department was in turmoil amid Flint promotion scandals and high-level departures. On June 14, the Free Press reported that people inside and outside the department were "rankled" by MSP Col. James Grady's response to an incident in April in which a trooper driving an unmarked police vehicle hit and killed a fleeing suspect. The topic has elicited multiple letters from readers with opposing viewpoints.
Anyone who knows me knows how much I value our incredible law enforcement officers.
These brave men and women are largely some of the absolute best individuals among us, willing to lay down their lives in service of their neighbors each and every day that they work to serve us all. We owe them everything. That includes proper leadership at the Michigan State Police. These troopers are owed leadership that is up to the task of enforcing our laws and protecting the public’s safety.
Under multiple governors, that hasn’t been the case.
As minority vice chair of the Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, I am often reminded of the admiration that we should all have for the MSP troopers.
Unfortunately, I am also reminded that the top command at MSP deserves the kind of leadership in which the public can have confidence. It is clear to me that the MSP has become a dysfunctional; disappointing department that lacks proper leadership and oversight.
The Free Press has highlighted the “turmoil” amid myriad scandals at the MSP in recent years. From an exam cheating scandal to shocking demotions and promotions, and all the way to a complete lack of confidence from the troopers themselves, the situation is dire ("Michigan State Police in turmoil amid Flint promotion scandal, high-level departures," Detroit Free Press, June 12.)
But the reality is that the blatant promotional cheating and questionable hiring practices at the top of the department are only part of the dysfunction. There have been issues involving improper supervision and subsequent lawsuits costing the taxpayers millions of dollars. The Free Press has reported on MSP leadership possibly covering for improper conduct and a botched missing-person and murder case involving a trooper. ("Where secrets go to die: Michigan State Police face suspicion for handling of cold case murder," Detroit Free Press, May 14.) It has gotten to such a low point that both the Michigan State Police Troopers Association and the Michigan State Police Command Officers Association have criticized MSP’s leadership.
I can no longer stand by and see this once-fine organization deteriorate. Increased oversight is long overdue.
The MSP is directly accountable only to the governor, with the director being a direct appointee.
It is long past time to reform and reorganize the MSP from top to bottom. Even more, the time has come for legislation that provides greater oversight.
The State of Michigan needs a citizen oversight committee like the one the Detroit Police Department currently boasts. The members of an MSP Oversight Committee should come from various areas, including law enforcement, prosecutors, defense attorneys and citizens.
I will be introducing such legislation in the near future, with more details to come. In the meantime, we need to restore confidence in our troopers that they will have effective and ethical leadership. It is time for us to help.
Jim Runestad
The writer represents Michigan’s 23rd District in the state Senate.
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