LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The Black Leadership Advisory Council (BLAC) is pushing back against criticism of Col. James Grady III, the Black Michigan State Police Director appointed by Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer, suggesting the recent ethics complaints are more about political power plays than actual misconduct – and laced with racial bias according to those who support him.
What is BLAC?
Established in late 2020 by Whitmer, BLAC was created to identify and tackle systemic barriers affecting Black Michiganders in the areas of education, community safety, health, and business leadership. It operates within the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) and serves in an advisory role to the governor, helping develop and recommend policies aimed at ending discrimination and racial inequities.
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BLAC is comprised of Whitmer-appointed Black leaders and community members who are dedicated to justice and equitable representation. In a recent emailed statement, BLAC says they stand “in strong support for Col. Grady, Director of the Michigan State Police Department amid ongoing accusations from the State Board and Ethics and some state legislative leaders.”
What BLAC is saying.
The council calls Col. Grady a “distinguished” leader in an agency with a history of diversity challenges and questions the motives behind the ethics complaints. They argue that the accusations over performance bonuses are a manufactured controversy meant to undermine his authority, appearing “politically motivated and racially charged.”
What Detroit NAACP is saying.
Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony, President of the Detroit Branch NAACP, is also defending Col. Grady. In a July 3 statement, he called out what he described as racially motivated attacks from within the department. Speaking during Detroit’s Freedom Weekend, Anthony praised Col. Grady’s 27-year career, highlighting his success in lowering crime and building trust in the community. He credited
Col. Grady’s inclusive leadership style and community engagement efforts as essential to bridging the gap between law enforcement and the public. Anthony questioned why, despite these accomplishments, Col. Grady is facing “what appears to be racially motivated attacks” by the Michigan State Police Trooper Association.
What Black lawmakers are saying.
A coalition of Black lawmakers from Michigan has also rallied to defend Col. Grady, standing firmly against calls for his removal. Speaking at a June 25 press conference, members of the Legislative Black Caucus applauded Col. Grady’s leadership and highlighted his historic role as one of the department’s highest-ranking Black officers. They emphasized that criticism of his leadership has been inflamed by race-based attacks. In their view, Col. Grady’s tenure has brought meaningful progress, meriting strong support from lawmakers who see his continued leadership as vital to both the MSP and the communities it serves.
What Col. Grady’s troopers are saying.
On the flip side, nearly 99 percent of Michigan State Police troopers have expressed a dramatic loss of faith in Col. Grady’s leadership, with 1,167 of 1,185 troopers responding to a June survey – noting “no confidence” in Col. Grady and Chief Deputy Director Lt. Colonel Aimee Brimacombe. Only 18 troopers (1.52%) gave the pair a vote of confidence.
The Michigan State Police Troopers Association, alongside the Command Officers Association, delivered a joint letter to Col. Grady and Brimacombe on June 9, urging their resignation and warning that the pair have “lost the support of (their) essential employees” and are “no longer able to achieve the Department’s mission and philosophy of leadership.”
Gov. Whitmer stands by Col. Grady.
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The clash over Col. Grady’s leadership now sits at the intersection of politics, race, and law enforcement morale – leaving Whitmer caught between her appointed allies and a police force in revolt. However, Whitmer’s support of Col. Grady has not wavered. In a June 27 statement, Whitmer said, “Colonel Grady is a dedicated public servant who brings over 25 years of experience in public safety and has done a fantastic job at leading the Michigan State Police the past two years. Law enforcement is a difficult job, and I admire his passion and work ethic in continuing to work on building safe neighborhoods and better working conditions for his troopers.”
Whether accusations against Col. Grady are a manufactured controversy or a real crisis, it’s exposing deep fractures within Michigan’s top law enforcement agency. What started as a dispute over bonuses has spiraled into a battle over race, politics, and leadership. As Whitmer stands by her appointee and troopers demand change, the future of the MSP – and the governor’s credibility – hangs in the balance.
