Harsher Penalties For Disarming Officers
On November 6th, the Michigan House voted overwhelmingly (75‑25) to advance legislation aimed at imposing harsher penalties for disarming officers.
Under current Michigan law, forcibly disarming an officer carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. The new bill, authored by Representative Mike Mueller (R‑Linden), would raise that maximum to 15 years, which is a meaningful step toward aligning the punishment with the severity of the crime.
The information below is sourced from an article by Police1.
Current Law Doesn’t Go Far Enough
Representative Mueller, a retired sheriff’s deputy, stated
Anyone who attacks an officer and tries to take their weapon has the intent to kill them. When a suspect reaches for an officer’s gun, it’s an attempt to turn the officer’s own weapon against them. We owe it to our law enforcement officers to treat that threat with the seriousness it deserves.
As someone who’s been in that situation, Representative Mueller knows it’s one of the most dangerous moments an officer can face. His goal is to send a clear message that violent criminals endangering the lives of the men and women who protect our communities will not be tolerated.
Key Provisions of the Bill
If the bill becomes law, disarming or attempting to disarm an officer would become a 15-year felony. The legislation also expands coverage beyond traditional police agencies to include state-employed security and motor-carrier officers, ensuring broader protection across all state law enforcement roles.
Should the Senate approve the bill and the governor sign it into law, removing a weapon other than a firearm from a police officer will continue to be classified as a felony punishable by up to four years.
POAM’s Stance on Harsher Penalties for Disarming Officers
POAM stands firmly behind this effort. Every day, Michigan’s police officers put their lives on the line to protect our communities. When someone attempts to disarm them, it is not only an act of aggression but a threat to public safety at large. Strengthening the law to reflect that threat is not optional; it is necessary.
POAM will continue working closely with Representative Mueller and lawmakers to see this bill through to the finish line. Officers deserve nothing less than the law’s complete protection.
For more legislative news, please check out the latest updates on our website.