Col. Eddie L. Washington, Jr. was recently appointed to the cabinet-level position of director of the Michigan State Police by Governor Jennifer M. Granholm. Washington is the 17th Director in the 93‑year history of the department. As director, Colonel Washington also serves as state director of Emergency Management and as Michigan’s Homeland Security director.
Washington began his career with the Department of State Police in 1984 as a member of 98th Trooper Recruit School. The Michigan State Police is a full service law enforcement organization, with approximately 2,600 enlisted and civilian employees. The agency includes three bureaus, the Field Services Bureau, State Services Bureau, and Administrative Services Bureau.
Prior to his appointment as director, Washington served as deputy director and commander of the Field Services Bureau for two years. In this capacity, he was responsible for the management of the department’s largest bureau, which includes two regions encompassing seven districts and 64 posts, as well as the Criminal Investigation Division, Traffic Safety Division, and the Special Operations Division. He also served as a member of the Executive Council, establishing goals and objectives for the department.
Previous assignments include serving at the Bridgeport, Detroit, and Ypsilanti posts, as well as in the Human Resources and Training divisions. From 2003 to 2005, he served as first lieutenant and commander of the Governor’s Security Section. In 2005, he was promoted to Inspector and assistant First District commander where he was responsible for aiding in the administration of eight posts in the lower mid-Michigan region. In 2006, he was promoted to captain and commander of the Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division, where he is credited with the creation of the state’s Critical Infrastructure Protection Desk and the formation of the nationally recognized Michigan Infrastructure Coordinating Committee.
Washington holds an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Wayne County Community College and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from William Tyndale College. He has completed the Executive Leadership Program offered by the Naval Postgraduate School and is a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command, as well as the 218th Session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va.
Colonel Washington chairs the Michigan Homeland Protection Board, the Michigan Public Safety Communications System (MPSCS) Advisory Board, the Auto Theft Prevention Authority, and the Michigan Intelligence Operations Center Advisory Board. He is also a member of the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards.
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