Governor Whitmer added 4 seats to the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards Friday; 1 for the state's Department of Civil Rights, and 3 for Michigan citizens.
The Commission sets and monitors standards for law enforcement conduct, training, and licensing.
"Effective policing that promotes safety, security, and justice for all Michiganders requires participation in setting policing standards from a broad range of individuals, including Michigan residents from outside the law enforcement community." Executive Order 2020-121 reads. Effective August 12th, 2020 at 12:01 a.m., it says the positions are being created to "bring a more diverse range of voices to this important task and promote democratic accountability."
The 3 citizen positions are open to Michigan residents and will be appointed jointly by the governor and Michigan Senate. Appointees cannot be affiliated with any law enforcement agencies or training academies. The first terms for appointees will be different lengths to create staggered expiration years for the positions. Afterward, terms will last 4 years.
Mary Engelman, Interim Director for the Department of Civil Rights, stated, “This opportunity is a critical recognition that the people who are served by law enforcement need to be more involved in their training, including the creation of the standards that guide them and the rules that regulate them. The Department welcomes this new and very important role because good policing is about protecting people’s rights. Governor Whitmer’s action today is a great step towards restoring the public’s confidence that all will be treated fairly, respectfully and equally.”
