Sweeping Changes To The Practice Of Policing in Michigan Proposed
Earlier today, 12 bills were introduced in the Michigan Senate making broad and sweeping changes to the practice of policing in Michigan. POAM has been aware of this bill package and attempting to educate legislators on how this legislation would impact our POAM members and law enforcement members in Michigan. POAM was asked for feedback on bill drafts and provided detailed responses on the impact on law enforcement and POAM members. At this point, our feedback was not included.
POAM supports finding ways to improve policing in Michigan and supporting our law enforcement officers. These two goals are not mutually exclusive. POAM is supportive of:
- Properly funding law enforcement departments to help retain and attract officers.
- Maintaining Michigan’s top-tier law enforcement standards.
- Supporting ways to improve and expand high-quality training.
POAM has significant concerns with several of the bills introduced today and the negative impact they would have on the law enforcement profession. Law enforcement is a noble profession that has unique challenges and needs to be supported.
Bill Numbers and Sponsors of the Legislation
- Senate Bill 473, sponsored by Sen. Roger Victory, R-Hudsonville, would require the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) to develop guidelines for independent investigations of officer-involved deaths and require each agency to develop a publicly available policy that meets those guidelines.
- SB 474, sponsored by Sen. Jeremy Moss, D-Southfield, to require the Use of Force violations to be included in separation records maintained by MCOLES.
- SB 475, sponsored by Sen. Ken Horn, R-Frankenmuth, to allow MCOLES to revoke the license of an officer who used excessive force causing death or serious bodily harm.
- SB 476, sponsored by Sen. Jim Ananich, D-Flint, to ban the intentional disclosure of the identity of a person who made a misconduct complaint against a law enforcement officer.
- SB 477, sponsored by Sen. Adam Hollier, D-Detroit, to exempt a police union from representing a member in disciplinary action if it is determined by the union that the grievance is without merit.
- SB 478, sponsored by Sen. Jim Runestad, R-White Lake, to ban the use of the chokehold as a restraint method except to save a life.
- SB 479, sponsored by Sen. Erika Geiss, D-Taylor, to ban the use of “no-knock” warrants except in certain circumstances and better define “knock and enter” warrants.
- SB 480, sponsored by Sen. Ruth Johnson, R-Holly, to establish an affirmative duty to intervene to prevent the excessive use of force by another officer and allow for disciplinary action for those who fail to do so.
- SB 481, sponsored by Sen. Stephanie Chang, D-Detroit would require Use of Force policies for all police agencies to include use of force continuum, verbal warning, and exhaustion of alternatives before using deadly force.
- SB 482, sponsored by Sen. Jeff Irwin, D-Ann Arbor, requires training standards regarding de-escalation, implicit bias, and behavioral health to be developed by MCOLES and requires continuing education for law enforcement officers.
- SB 483, sponsored by Sen. Michael D. MacDonald, R-Macomb Township, to direct MCOLES to commission a study on the recruitment and retention of law enforcement officers to discover barriers to attracting and retaining high-quality individuals.
- SB 484, sponsored by Sen. Marshall Bullock, D-Detroit, specifically includes tampering with body cameras or intentionally turning off the camera for the purpose of interfering with an investigation or proceeding in the crime of tampering with evidence.
Share Your Thoughts About Michigan Police Legislation Bills
We urge you to contact your State Senators and ask them to call you and hear how this legislation would impact your ability to do your job as this legislation moves forward. You can find the contact information for your Senator here.
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