Michael Griffies

State Trooper Lieutenant Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Assistant Unit Commander Motor Carrier Safety Unit (2022 to 2024).

• Provide leadership and direction while maximizing efforts toward preventing traffic accidents and protecting life and property. Assistant Commanders are responsible for effectively using all available resources to accomplish any missions that may be assigned.

• Assumed unit command during the Commander’s off days, vacation, sick days, and other absences.

• Served as the Commander’s advisor on operations, planning, decisions, and execution of plans.

• Prepare unique enforcement and operational and contingency plans for details, including ICS Plans.

• Responsible for maintaining a high standard of discipline among seventy-five arresting officers and four civilian personnel and ensuring the unit's overall morale, efficiency, and operations.

• Responsible for completing all employee-related reports (i.e., pre-appraisal, probationary appraisal, mid-appraisal, final performance appraisal, etc.) on employees immediately under his command.

• Served as the budget officer of the Motor Carrier Safety Unit. In this role, I serve as grant administrator and coordinate all grant-related activities (i.e., proposals, plans, expenditures, etc.).

• Served as the property inventory/supply officer; the Assistant Commander is responsible for issuing and assigning property and ensuring the security and accountability of all property within the Unit.

• Conducts pre-employment interviews and related background investigations.

• Established liaison with other agencies within the state, assisting as needed. This includes but is not limited to police departments, sheriffs, district attorneys, courts and judges, local public officials, adjoining Posts and states, other state and federal agencies, military installations, State Department of Transportation, county highway departments, and key personnel at emergency units within his/her assigned area.

• Maintained current knowledge of the geography and history of the area within the state and the population's demographic, economic, and political makeup.

• Grant Manager for the Unit, apply for and manage the Motor Carrier Safety Assistant Program grant. Apply for and manage several state grants directed at commercial vehicle enforcement efforts. I was responsible for approximately 7.5 million dollars of the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit’s annual budget.

• Point of contact with the FMCSA Alabama Division field office. Represent the division at quarterly meetings with FMCSA representatives. Discuss state enforcement efforts with FMCSA. Presentations to motor carriers, industry associations, and local law enforcement agencies, responding to inquiries by the trucking industry related to commercial vehicle safety, laws, rules, and regulations (federal and state).

• Conducted Level I, II, and III Hazmat, Cargo Tank, Passenger Carrier, Investigative Safety Analysis Investigations (Compliance Reviews), and New Entrant Safety Audits.

State Trooper Sergeant Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Compliance Program/New Entrant Safety Audit/Training Program Manager Motor Carrier Safety Unit (2017 to 2022).

• Provided training to FMCSA Compliance Investigators and subordinates selected to work in the Compliance Section of Alabama’s Motor Carrier Safety Unit. The training consisted of but was not limited to Training to standard and the field certification of Safety Investigators and New Entrant Safety Auditors.

• Preparation of FMCSA enforcement cases led to civil forfeitures, out-of-service orders, and imminent hazard declarations.

• Use and functionality of the different FMCSA and state databases: (LETSGO, MOVE, ADVANCE, SafetyNet, MCMIS, Query Central, EMIS, A&I (SMS), A&I (NAS), CSA Outreach, Data Qs Infosys, SAFER, and L&I).

o Understanding and use of FMCSA software: (CAPRI, UFA, CASERITE, PROVU, SENTRI, GUARD, MCREGIS, ASPEN).

• Provided subject matter expertise (SME) to assist fellow Law Enforcement Officers/Supervisors and FMCSA staff with commercial motor vehicles, hazardous materials safety, and compliance issues.

• Responsible for assigning and reviewing at least 900 New Entrant Safety Audits annually.

• Assigned and performed high-profile post-accident investigations on commercial motor vehicles, drivers, and motor carriers.

• Completed and provided oversight for the completion of Voluntary Consent Orders (VCOs) and Record Consolidation Orders (RCOs) on reincarnated motor carriers seeking to circumvent the FMCSRs.

• Served as a grant writer and administrator while assigned to the ALEA Motor Carrier Safety Unit – Headquarters staff.

• Ensured proper and timely submission and execution of FMCSA grants (MCSAP BASIC, High Priority, New Entrant, and Innovative Technology Development (ITD) grants) in accordance with § 350 of the FMCSRs and strict governmental oversight. USDOT/FMCSA/CVSA certified Level I – Level V inspector, Safety Auditor, and Compliance Investigator.

• Lead detailed Compliance Investigations on high-risk motor carriers, carriers subject to non-frivolous complaints, post-crash investigations on Alabama domiciled motor carriers, carrier upgrade requests, and any other motor carrier assigned by the Alabama FMCSA Division Office.

• Provided written correspondence to carrier and public officials regarding the FMCSRs and the application thereof.

State Trooper Corporal Alabama Law Enforcement Agency/Size and Weight Program Manager Motor Carrier Safety Unit (2001 to 2016).

• Developed Weigh station technology advancements through grant funding (license plate readers, USDOT number readers, thermal imaging cameras, tire anomaly classification system, weigh-in-motion

• Trained State Trooper Weight personnel and Alabama Department of Transportation Weight Personnel in Alabama Size and Weight Law and Permitting Requirements.

• Schedule work assignments and supervise subordinate personnel in the Motor Carrier Safety Unit. Prepares reports and records concerning unit operations. Checks subordinates' appearance, efficiency, and reports. Enforces departmental rules and regulations to maintain department efficiency and effectiveness.

• Routinely patrolled assigned territory and inspected and weighed commercial motor vehicles to ensure strict compliance with Federal and State Safety Regulations.

• Conducted Level I, II, and III Hazmat, Cargo Tank, Passenger Carrier, Investigative Safety Analysis Investigations (Compliance Reviews), and New Entrant Safety Audits.

• Weight enforcement to protect Alabama Infrastructure, Federal Bridge Formula, and Alabama weight laws.

State Trooper Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Highway Patrol Division

(1996 to 2001).

• ALEA Trooper protects the life and property of the public. Troopers in the Highway Patrol Division are general law enforcement officers specializing in traffic enforcement. Thoroughly familiar with the ALEA Procedural Manual, the DPS Procedural Manual, the eCrash Manual, Title 32 and Title 13A of the Code of Alabama, 1975, and The Alabama Rules of Criminal Procedure. In addition, I was assigned additional duties and must maintain a working knowledge of information contained in manuals and guidelines associated with such additional duties. As an Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Department of Public Safety Trooper, I was familiar with assigned territory. I patrolled roads and highways as assigned, enforcing applicable laws, regulations, rules, and administrative policies and assisting motorists. They will issue arrest citations or warning tickets as needed. I investigate traffic crashes following ALEA, Division, and Personnel policy. I also complete additional assignments as directed by supervisors.

• Trained by FMCSA Compliance Investigators, Federal Program Managers, and Division Administrators to perform complex and detailed investigations on commercial transportation facilities, hazardous materials shippers and receivers, passenger carriers, and other stakeholders in the trucking industry.

• Ensured maritime safety and security by monitoring vessel traffic, responding to distress calls, and enforcing federal laws.
• Conducted regular inspections of vessels for compliance with applicable regulations and international agreements.
• Investigated suspicious activity or violations of law in the maritime environment.
• Maintained operational readiness through physical training, drills, and exercises.
• Developed intelligence reports on illegal activities in the maritime environment based on collected data and observations.
• Participated in joint multi-agency operations involving Coast Guard assets as well as foreign partners.
• Collaborated with other agencies such as Customs and Border Protection or Immigration and Customs Enforcement when necessary.
  Physical Security, Maritime Law Enforcement Specialist "A" School Graduate (12 Weeks).
  Senior Enlisted Reserve Advisor (SERA) for Coast Guard Station Destin, FL. Led a motivated group of 18 highly motivated reserve
  personnel.
• Served 25 years in the United States Coast Guard Reserve and retired as a Maritime Enforcement Specialist Chief Petty Officer (E-7)
  • Graduated from U.S. Coast Guard Basic Training Cape May, NJ 1989 (8 Weeks).
  • Graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Leadership Course.