DETROIT

MSP's 2nd district HQ in Detroit reopens lobby to public after 13 years

Portrait of Liam Rappleye Liam Rappleye
Detroit Free Press

In 2011, the Michigan State Police closed the busiest post in the state to the public in a budget-pinching move. On Monday, that same post reopened its lobby.

The new version of the lobby, near the corner of Milwaukee Street and Second Avenue in Cadillac Place, will be open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will offer services like filing and obtaining crash reports, though crime-related services are still the Detroit Police Department's jurisdiction.

Regardless, citizens shouldn't hesitate to visit should they need help from MSP, Director of State Police Col. James Grady II said.

“Anything where we can provide some assistance to the general public” will be available, Grady said. “When they have questions, they could either call in here or actually walk in through the front doors.” 

Col. James Grady II, director of the Michigan State Police, right, and 1st Lt. Mike Shaw stand in the lobby of its 2nd District Headquarters located in the Cadillac Place building in Detroit's New Center area that recently opened to the public, on Monday July 8, 2024. It will be open to the public Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. During those hours, visitors can safely file a traffic crash report, obtain crash reports.

When the post closed to the public, Grady said, “We lost a little bit of our footprint in the city.” Before the opening of the lobby, the nearest MSP posts for Detroiters were in Taylor and Oak Park, in Oakland County. 

Detroit Police news:Detroit police announce block party crackdown after shooting that kills 2, injures 19

Making use of the lobby

The new lobby is located on the ground floor of Cadillac Place. To access it, visitors should plan to pay for parking nearby. While there is nearby street parking available, the spots will be metered, MSP said.

The lobby will be staffed with sergeants and cadets every day, and it is positioned within the 2nd District headquarters. The 2nd District covers Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. For years, the headquarters has housed detectives, specialized investigators and the joint Homicide Task Force, in partnership with Detroit police.

Sgt. Elizabeth London works the front desk at the Michigan State Police 2nd District Headquarters located in the Cadillac Place building in Detroit's New Center area to the public, Monday, July 8, 2024. This directive from Col. James Grady II, director of the MSP, will provide the city of Detroit, its residents and visitors, with a convenient, safe space where they can access a range of services and learn more about employment opportunities with the MSP. It will be open to the public Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. During those hours, visitors can safely file a traffic crash report, obtain crash reports.

Grady hopes the new presence in the city can help soften the staffing shortages MSP is experiencing. For the newly opened lobby, Grady hopes to hire cadets to work the desk, while also using the lobby opening as an opportunity for MSP to recruit new employees and fill vacant jobs. 

“We don’t have the staffing we used to have,” Grady said, citing retirements and general attrition as the cause of concern. 

On Sunday, MSP was called in to assist the Detroit police department when two were killed and 19 injured at a shooting on Detroit’s east side. Grady said MSP is always able to offer assistance when needed, but he’d like to be able to do it more comfortably. 

Col. James Grady II, director of the Michigan State Police, will provide the city of Detroit, its residents and visitors, with a convenient, safe space where they can access a range of services and learn more about employment opportunities with the MSP at the 2nd District Headquarters located in the Cadillac Place building in Detroit's New Center that recently opened to the public on Monday, July 8, 2024.

“The (state police) presence is there, but if I’m going to be fully transparent, it’s not the way it used to be,” he said. 

Candidates interested in working for the MSP, either as a uniformed cop or as in a civilian role can apply online or inquire about jobs in the new lobby, Grady said.