LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – A blistering Michigan House Oversight Committee report on the Michigan State Police (MSP) pulls no punches: the internal dysfunction is no longer just an HR or PR problem – they say it’s serious enough to threaten public safety. After about eight months of document reviews, sworn depositions, hearings and looking at publicly available reports and other materials, lawmakers concluded that leadership failures, retaliation, and collapsing morale have left the state’s top law enforcement agency struggling to do its job.
The investigation, led by House Oversight Chair Rep. Jay DeBoyer (R-Clay Twp.) with support from the House Appropriations Subcommittee, paints a picture of an agency consumed by widespread internal fear, confusion, and instability – all while Michigan residents assume (and hope) the MSP is operating at full strength.
Promotions, demotions, and the vanishing rulebook.
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At the center of the report is MSP Director Col. James Grady, whose rise from captain to colonel skipped key leadership ranks traditionally seen as essential for running a statewide police agency. According to multiple witnesses, that lack of experience showed quickly, especially in personnel decisions that appeared arbitrary, punitive, or loyalty-based rather than performance-driven.
Seasoned command staff were abruptly demoted or reassigned without explanation, sometimes losing multiple ranks overnight. Several testified they were never given reasons – just reminders that the colonel “has his reasons.” The result: decades of institutional knowledge pushed aside, morale sinking, and a leadership bench thinned out by retirements, resignations, and lawsuits.
One trusted adviser — with a troubling record.
The report also points to Chief Deputy Director Lt. Col. Aimee Brimacombe not only being Grady’s closest adviser but also a major source of concern. Despite multiple sustained internal investigations involving misuse of state property, training failures, and false reporting, Brimacombe was promoted to the agency’s second-highest position almost immediately after a mandatory waiting period expired.
Witnesses described a management style rooted in intimidation and retaliation, with one former official saying Brimacombe “leads through fear.” That official also called Brimacombe a “terrible” leader,” “vindictive” and having a “belittling” communication style. Several employees reported being pushed out, reassigned, or threatened with investigations after raising concerns or questioning decisions.
The silver lining for her critics? Amid mounting internal dissent and growing public scrutiny, and possibly in anticipation of this report, Brimacombe announced she will retire in the coming months – a development Michigan News Source reported on last week.
Silence, retaliation, and a culture of fear.
Beyond individual cases, the report describes an isolated leadership culture where dissent is punished and communication is optional. Senior staff testified that expert advice was routinely ignored, transparency vanished, and even basic reassurances – like whether contracts would be renewed – were withheld, fueling anxiety. Multiple employees said they feared retaliation simply for doing their jobs or telling the truth.
Why this matters to the public.
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The committee’s conclusion is stark: when leadership dysfunction causes staffing shortages, accelerates turnover, and shifts focus inward, public safety suffers. MSP’s mission is critical, the report warns, and anything less than stable, competent leadership “threatens our public safety and the justice owed to Michigan residents.”
Lawmakers say further investigation – and likely policy and budget reforms – are coming. For now, the message is clear: this isn’t politics as usual. It’s a warning flare about Michigan’s top law enforcement agency.
