Milton L. Scales

Milton is a proud graduate of Detroit Central High School, home of the Trailblazers, and his career reflects that legacy. As a Detroit Police Officer in the late 1970s he was one of the last in first out during the historic layoff of 1,100 officers, and became one of the first Black Conservation Officers in Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources. He later served as the first permanent Chief of Criminal Investigations for the newly created Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, also leading the department’s homeland security and emergency management efforts, representing the department on the Governor’s Homeland Protection Board, helping author Michigan’s first homeland protection strategic plans, and guiding the distribution of federal homeland security funds to local units of government. During his tenure as Chief, he was elected by his peers to six terms on the board of the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, including three terms as Treasurer, helping shape statewide law enforcement leadership and policy.

Educationally, Milton earned an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice and Business Management from Lansing Community College—where he was later honored as a Distinguished Alumnus—along with a Bachelor of Science in Community Development and a Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University, and a Political Leadership Fellowship from Michigan State University.

After retiring from state government, Milton continued to invest in civic and academic spaces that shape the next generation. He taught Political Science at Saginaw Valley State University, helping students understand power, policy, and public service. He was appointed to the Ingham County Road Commission and the Meridian Township Planning Commission, and later became the first Black person elected to the Meridian Township Board of Trustees. From that position, he helped establish the Haslett High School Black Student Union and resurrect the Okemos High School Black Student Union, creating spaces where Black students could find voice, identity, and develop leadership skills.

Milton’s Corvette journey is central to his story of culture and community. A lifetime member of the National Corvette Museum, he has logged more than 125,000 “miles of smiles” in his Corvettes over a decade and a half of ownership. His Corvettes are regular fixtures in the homecoming parades of Meridian Township high schools and Michigan State University, symbolizing Black excellence, visibility, and joy. Milton is also known as the “Director of Fun” for the Michigangsters, a group of neighbors and friends who travel to CACW, NCM Bash, Corvettes at Carlisle, Lingenfelter charitable events, Woodward Dream Cruise, Corvette Funfest, Back to the Bricks, Tux’s Backroad Boogie, Bloomington Gold, and various other fun-filled Corvette intra- and interstate road trips.

He continues his commitment to service and youth empowerment through Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity’s Epsilon Tau Sigma Chapter, where he serves as President of its Education Fund, a 501(c)(3) organization that advances educational opportunities for underserved youth through mentorship, scholarship, and workshops, guided by the principles of Culture for Service and Service for Humanity.