Former Michigan State Police officer files federal lawsuit alleging racism, sexism, retaliation
Sarah Krebs, a former Michigan State Police (MSP) officer, has filed a federal lawsuit alleging systemic racism, sexism, and harassment throughout her 25-year career at the agency.
Former Michigan State Police officer files federal lawsuit alleging racism, sexism, retaliation
Complaint claims of biased hiring practices, retaliation, and a hostile work environment under MSP leadership
Brandon Carr, Digital Content Producer
Sarah Krebs, a former Michigan State Police (MSP) officer, has filed a federal lawsuit alleging systemic racism, sexism, and harassment throughout her 25-year career at the agency.
The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan on Tuesday (Oct. 14), detailed claims of biased hiring practices, retaliation, and a hostile work environment under MSP leadership.
According to the complaint, Krebs, who served in various roles, including Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Officer, says her career ended with unnecessary stress and ridicule due to leadership decisions that prioritized diversity initiatives over qualifications.
She alleges that this approach damaged agency morale and perpetuated inequity.
The lawsuit names MSP and Colonel James Grady, the agency’s leader, as defendants.
It accuses Grady of instigating a pattern of workplace harassment and manipulating hiring and promotion processes to favor certain candidates based on race and personal relationships.
According to the complaint, Krebs was promoted to Chief DEI Officer in late 2022 but faced exclusion and hostility from leadership, including Grady.
Krebs claimed she was passed over for promotions in favor of less qualified candidates handpicked by Grady, who allegedly sought to place preferred individuals in key positions.
She also described retaliation after raising concerns about discriminatory hiring practices.
Krebs said she was demoted, lost support staff, moved to a less private office space, and had her access to vital software revoked.
The complaint further alleges that she was subjected to a retaliatory internal investigation following a sexual harassment complaint filed on her behalf.
The lawsuit highlights a specific incident where Krebs was sexually harassed by a male lieutenant at a conference in December 2024.
After reporting the incident, Krebs claimed she faced a retaliatory complaint and multiple investigations that caused her severe emotional distress and trauma.
Krebs asserts that the hostile environment and retaliation violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, and Michigan common law.
She seeks lost wages, compensatory and punitive damages, attorney fees, and other relief.
The complaint also raises concerns about the treatment of women and minorities in a traditionally male-dominated law enforcement culture.
Krebs’s attorneys at Flood Law, PLLC, emphasize that her case sets a precedent for addressing retaliation against employees who speak out about harassment and discrimination.
