experience

Andy Fias was born and raised in Michigan.  After serving four years in the U.S. Air Force he was hired in a support role with the Michigan State Police in March of 1993.  In April of 1994 he entered the 109th Trooper Recruit School graduating in August of 1994.  His career progressed as follows:

• • 1994-2000 –  Assigned as a uniform trooper to the Newaygo Post, investigating a variety of criminal and civil investigations, as well as patrol generated complaints.  During this assignment he also served as a community service trooper and and school resource trooper.
  • 2000-2003 –  Assigned to the Metropolitan Enforcement Team-Conspiracy Crimes Unit, investigating organized drug trafficking organizations while working with both state and federal prosecutors to obtain successful conclusions.  He was the first detective at the unit to receive training to respond and investigate clandestine methamphetamine labs, a role he continued until his retirement.  During this time, Andy was selected to be the first trooper assigned to the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force for the Western District of Michigan.  In this role he investigated domestic and international terrorism cases.
  • 2003-2007 –  In 2003, he was promoted to detective sergeant and assigned to the MSP Hart Post.  In this role, he broadened his experience investigating high profile cases involving a variety of theft crimes, fraud, embezzlement, violent crime, and employee misconduct.  He was also tasked with property room management, supervision of post investigations, and background investigations.  During this time he was trained in major case investigations, crime scene response and management, and a variety of other investigative skills.
  • 2007-2014 –  In 2007, Andy transferred to the West Michigan Enforcement Team as a detective sergeant and later promoted to detective lieutenant.  He was instrumental in investigating large scale drug trafficking organizations and prosecuted these cases in both state and federal court.  During this time, Andy was selected to be a primary instructor for narcotic task force training across the state, as well as recruit school training.  He trained task force officers and recruits in a variety of subjects like drug recognition and effects, informant management, raid management, surveillance operations, and interview debrief.
  • 2014-2018 –  In 2014, Andy was promoted to detective first lieutenant and oversaw operations of two task forces in west Michigan, comprised of four teams, operating in 7 counties.  He continued to investigate drug trafficking organizations in this role while providing guidance to personnel assigned to the task forces.  He also continued to be a primary instructor at recruit schools and task force training.
  • 2018-2020 – In 2018, Andy was tasked with oversight of all five drug task forces operating in 13 counties in west Michigan.  This position involved various budgets and grant funding for all five teams, along with supervision of investigations.  
  • 2020-2022 – In 2020, Andy transferred to the MSP Lakeview Post and served as the Post Commander for over two years.  In this role he oversaw post operations, covering three counties in central Michigan.  During this time, he became involved in several investigations of employee misconduct and managed to continue criminal investigations.  Andy retired in September of 2022, serving nearly 30 years.
  • 2023 – Andy became a licensed Professional Investigator in the State of Michigan and started Fias Investigations, LLC.