LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – Michigan State Police Director Colonel James Grady says education, community partnerships, and proactive outreach remain some of the department’s most important tools as it works to address public safety challenges across the state.
During an interview at the Mackinac Policy Conference, Col. Grady discussed the agency’s efforts to prevent targeted violence, recruit new personnel, and prepare for potential budget pressures as lawmakers negotiate the next state budget.
Col. Grady said Michigan State Police continues to expand initiatives focused on identifying warning signs before violence occurs. Among those efforts is the department’s Stop the Plot program, which encourages residents to report concerning behavior and provides resources for people seeking help.
“You can’t arrest your way out of the right tickets out of these situations,” Col. Grady said. “When I talk about educate, we’re also talking about the security of places of worship training.”
The department has also hosted youth violence prevention summits and active shooter preparedness programs throughout Michigan. Col. Grady said those efforts are designed to give students, educators, and parents practical tools to recognize and respond to potential threats.
“We have to prepare our students. We have to prepare our faculty. We have to prepare the parents of these children as well,” Col. Grady said. “We have to be prepared as much as possible. So education is important.”
Col. Grady said recent incidents targeting places of worship underscore the need for continued collaboration between law enforcement agencies, security personnel and religious leaders.
“People should always feel safe and secure when they go to their place of worship,” he said. “We have to collaborate, work hand in hand with the security personnel, with the leadership from those different places of worship, along with our local and federal law enforcement agencies.”
As state officials work through budget negotiations, Col. Grady said the department may have to adjust spending priorities but will continue focusing on its core mission of public safety.
“I’m not the first director, and I won’t be the only state director to have to make some modifications to their budget,” he said. “When that time comes, I got a great team to work with at the MSP. We will find solutions, but still be able to provide top-notch public service and law enforcement services across the state of Michigan.”
Recruitment remains a challenge across the law enforcement profession, according to Col. Grady, but he said Michigan State Police is actively engaging students at all levels through school visits, community events, and recruitment programs.
“We need to start piquing their interest at that age level so that they can have the genuine and honest conversations with us and ask the questions so that we can tell them what we do,” Col. Grady said.
Col. Grady also pointed to the broader theme of collaboration that dominated discussions at this year’s Mackinac Policy Conference. He said partnerships between government agencies, businesses and community organizations are essential to addressing complex challenges facing Michigan.
“Partnerships, collaboration, key, right? It’s the key to success,” Col. Grady said. “There’s no way that you can just do everything on your own. It takes collaboration and partnerships.”
The director said Michigan State Police continues to hire both sworn officers and civilian professionals, including positions in the agency’s crime laboratories and other specialized divisions.
“The first responders are your true Supermans and Wonder Woman and Batman and all that.” He said. “We are the true heroes every day because of what we provide and what we’re willing to do, how we’re willing to sacrifice every day. It’s not for everybody. It is a calling to do this job.”
