By State Rep. Mike Mueller

The motto of the Michigan State Police is “A PROUD tradition of SERVICE through EXCELLENCE, INTEGRITY, and COURTESY.  This motto has come into question as of late, with the Michigan State Police (MSP) reaching a crisis point regarding morale, recruitment, retention and integrity.  I have witnessed this unravel over the past 10 years.  I spent 19 years as an officer, working in two different counties, prior to being elected as state representative.  I worked side by side with many current and retired troopers who have and had voiced their disappointment in the top leadership of the department.

Morale among troopers, and sergeants–once proud, highly engaged, public servants–has plummeted.  What was once a culture rooted in merit, integrity and public service has been eroded by a toxic leadership culture, characterized by favoritism, retaliation and a glaring standard: “Rules for thee but not for me”.  This is codified by the no confidence status of the Michigan State Troopers Association and the Command Officers Association.

Recent developments have made it painfully clear that the top brass operates with impunity while expecting rank and file officers to toe an increasingly unclear and politicized line.  Troopers now hesitate to do actual police work, fearing that any decision they make will be dissected not through a lens of fairness, but political expediency or personal bias.  Disciplinary actions seem less rooted in objective policy and more in personal vendettas.  The climate is one of fear, not support.

The data reflects the MSP administration’s growing disillusionment.  Early retirements and resignations–many by those with years of experience who once intended to serve 25 years or more–are at an all-time high.  Simultaneously, interest in joining the force is plummeting.  Once a coveted career path, serving with the MSP no longer appeals to new recruits who hear stories of internal dysfunction and poor leadership.

Perhaps the most telling sign of this deterioration is the recent employee surveys.  Participation was abysmal.  And among those who did respond, optimism and approval of leadership were virtually nonexistent.  This silence is deafening, a clear message that the rank and file no longer feel heard or valued.

Promotions, once awarded based on merit, work ethic and professional reputation, are now handed out or withheld based on personal relationships or retaliatory motives.  Meanwhile, collaboration with local law enforcement agencies has deteriorated.  Where there was once mutual respect, and joint effort, there is now isolationism, driven not by necessity, but by the whims of leadership who see cooperation as beneath them.

The public deserves to know what is happening behind the badge.  MSP troopers continue to serve with honor despite these internal challenges, but they do so under an increasingly heavy burden.  It’s a shame to see an elite agency unravel due to leadership that has lost its moral compass and forgotten the principles of accountability. 

The decline of MSP is not inevitable.  It can be reversed, but only by someone who is willing to reflect, reform and restore the trust of others squandered.  Until then, the silence of the survey and the exodus of dedicated officers will speak louder than any official statement ever could.

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Representative Mueller is a Navy veteran, decorated retired officer and chairman of the State Police budget subcommittee.