Breanna Ballinger, a communications specialist with the Michigan State Police (MSP), has transformed the department’s digital presence through her innovative leadership in social media. Since joining the MSP, she has expanded their social media footprint from 7 channels to 17, growing the follower base from 156,000 to over 550,000. Her strategic content creation and data-driven approach have made MSP’s platforms a vital tool for public engagement and safety. 

Comms Specialist Ballinger’s work is not only about numbers—it’s about impact. In 2024, content she posted on Facebook and Instagram reached more than 13 million people, and she personally responds to all legitimate inquiries and direct messages with professionalism and courtesy. Her capitalization on trending content, the MSP Barbie posts, Tuesday Tweet-Alongs, and Valentine’s Day reels have garnered national media attention and driven recruitment efforts, especially among younger audiences. She is dedicated to ensuring the MSP social accounts are timely, relevant, and informational, and she leverages creativity and data monitoring to achieve this.  

Her leadership extends beyond the MSP. She serves on the State of Michigan Social Media Governance Board and has presented at numerous conferences, sharing her expertise in digital communication. Comms Specialist Ballinger’s commitment to excellence earned her the Public Relations Society of America’s New Professional of the Year award and recognition for her role in the MSP’s 100th Anniversary campaign. 

With a passion for bridging the gap between law enforcement and the community, Breanna continues to innovate and inspire through her work.  

“I’m driven by the opportunity to connect with the public, represent the values of our department, and use communication to inform, assist, and build trust.”