The State Police in Lansing, Michigan, is addressing a diversity issue, as the majority of its new academy classes are white. This contrasts with the state’s 74% white population, as per recent census data. State Police Director Col. James Grady II is not satisfied with the agency’s 90% white demographic. He attributes part of the issue to the public’s perception of law enforcement, influenced by incidents like the 2020 George Floyd case.
Grady believes these perceptions discourage people of color from becoming State Police troopers. He suggests judgments are often formed from short video clips without full context. To address this, Grady has directed recruiters to engage more with communities of color to encourage diverse applicants.
The department is conducting sessions statewide for potential applicants to take entrance exams and complete applications. Brian Buege, the commander of the department’s Recruiting and Selection Section, believes direct interaction with candidates can address their queries and build rapport.