MSP Crackdown: Firings, Retirements, and Resignation Amid Probe into Flint Post Conduct

The Michigan State Police (MSP) has taken drastic employment actions against multiple staff members linked to the Flint post following an internal investigation. The probe, which churned through the department's promotion and selection process, has led to two retirements, two firings, a resignation, and a demotion, as confirmed by officials on Monday.

The internal probe, initially reported by the Free Press in November, began with accusations at the Flint post and cast a net wide enough to ensnare personnel at the West Branch post as well. MSP spokeswoman Shanon Banner revealed that First Lt. Yvonne Brantley, former post commander in Flint, opted for retirement instead of termination in the face of disciplinary measures.

Lt. Michael Phillips chose the same path as Brantley with an early retirement, though his colleague, Lt. Thomas Dhooge, was fired and is currently contesting his dismissal under civil service laws, according to the Free Press. The investigation didn't stop there, spreading its brambles to the West Branch, demoting First Lt. Jeff Short from post commander to the rank of trooper and reassigning him to Houghton Lake.

ABC 12 News reports suggest that one pivotal element of the investigation concerned Brantley allegedly distributing promotion exam questions to certain troopers and sergeants, potentially skewing the fairness of the test. This key detail emerged during the separate investigation of Sgt. Jared Chiros, who has since resigned, a finding that seems to have deepened the inquiry's roots and breadth.

Trooper Ken Monroe's employment has also been terminated, a decision is now pendulous in the toils of arbitration under the MSP Trooper's Association contract, MLive reported. None of the officers involved have made public comments, and the Michigan State Police Troopers Association has not issued statements regarding the slew of disciplinary actions.