A Lesson Beyond the Badge: MSP Colonel Highlights Recruiting, Diversity, and Community Engagement

Michigan State Police Colonel James F. Grady II addressing students at Detroit Edison Public School Academy 

On a chilly Friday morning, the Detroit Edison Public School Academy halls buzzed with chatter as students gathered for a rare opportunity to sit down one-on-one with Michigan State Police Colonel James F. Grady II. As the longtime police veteran listened intently to their questions, some about roles in the department, others about speeding tickets, he didn’t just talk about law enforcement; he spoke about leadership, resilience, and the power of representation. For many students, it was their first real conversation with someone in uniform, and for Grady, it was a chance to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the community’s future leaders.

Grady emphasized the importance of planting seeds for the future, making it clear to the students that there are no limits to the roles available within the department. The law enforcement profession offers endless opportunities, whether as a community liaison or through exploring media options.

“I’m looking for every platform I can find across the state to interact with the youth,” Grady said.

“Today gives me an opportunity to plant the seeds for the future, because everyone has different aspirations. Some may want to stay close to home, while others might be drawn to the State Police or a Sheriff’s Department.”

School Principal Julius Blackburn walks the halls and is in the classrooms with students primarily from the Detroit area, so he hears the conversation and feelings from both sides of the students about law enforcement. 

“I hear the positive stories. For example, I have a student who comes from a lineage of police officers, so his entire family was part of the Detroit Police Department, so he’s dispelling many of the rumors,” Blackburn said.

“But I also have students who have either limited exposure to police or only negative exposure. But when these partnerships come in, it makes it a lot easier for the students to see because a lot of it is their fear of being perceived.”

While Michigan State Police is working toward better reflecting the state’s population, Grady noted that there is still work to be done. Their ongoing outreach efforts include visits to schools and the addition of full-time community service troopers as part of a larger strategy to improve recruitment and engagement.

“I need representation from the different communities, racial backgrounds, culture, and gender. I need it all. The more we have, the better service we provide,” Grady said.

“We need to have an agency that at least mirrors the population of Michigan. We’re not there right now, and that’s why you see me, along with my staff in the schools, the addition of full-time community service troopers like you see here today; those things are a part of the plan to make the change and push forth the effort to make sure that we recruit and set things up for the future.”

By prioritizing diversity, the MSP aims to create a more inclusive environment that respects and values the unique contributions of each officer, ultimately leading to better policing outcomes and stronger community relationships.

Looking ahead to 2025, Grady emphasizes that engaging with the community will be crucial for the MSP’s efforts. Community involvement is key to success in the department, and he has asked community service troopers to work closely with public information officers (PIOs) and recruiting teams to ensure that they actively build and maintain our partnerships.

“Residents from communities across the state influence the youth, and if they tell them that law enforcement is bad, police officers are bad, that’s what the youth will listen to. So I need for them to change that perspective,” Grady said.

“You can’t have a thriving community without it being safe, and that’s one of our primary roles and responsibilities to help keep the community safe. So we need their assistance with recruiting.”

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