September 03, 2026
The Michigan State Police (MSP) is pleased to announce the department has been designated as a Trust Building Pledge agency committed to focusing on strengthening trust and collaboration between officers and the communities they serve.
The achievement is part of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Trust Building Campaign in which agencies pledge to focus on six key areas: bias-free policing, use of force, leadership and culture, recruitment, hiring, and retention, victim services and community relations. The MSP entered the pledge in August 2024 with 36 months to complete it, which it did in July 2026.
“We pledged to address what we could do better to serve the people we interact with,” said Col. James F. Grady II, director of the MSP. “This process confirmed we already had much of the necessary foundation in place with set standards for de-escalation, use of force, and mental health training. Through this process we were able to focus on bridging gaps particularly with the work we are doing in Michigan’s diverse communities.”
By completing the Trust Building Campaign Pledge, the MSP reaffirmed it had established policies and trainings, conducted assessments, and developed strategies to encourage positive community-police partnerships that promote safe, effective interactions, create strategies to prevent and reduce crime, and improve the wellbeing and quality of life for all.
The IACP is encouraged by the efforts of agencies as they incorporate the pledge’s concepts into their everyday operations. When trust building is prioritized, community members and the police benefit from relationships focused on unified visions, goals, and values.
For more information about the Trust Building Campaign, visit the IACP’s website.
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