LANSING, Mich. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer has proposed additional police reform policies in order to help strengthen police-community relations, according to a press release from the governor's office.
The four-pronged plan, which was developed by community leaders and law enforcement organizations, "will make significant reforms in policy, personnel, participation and community engagement, and prevention and accountability to address racial disparities in how law enforcement is applied toward communities of color," the governor's office said.
“All Michiganders, no matter their community or the color of their skin, deserve equal treatment under the law,” Governor Whitmer said. “This proposal will help us ensure that law enforcement officials treat all Michiganders with humanity and respect, and will help us keep our communities safe. I will continue working with leaders in law enforcement to make public safety more just and equitable in Michigan.”
The governor proposed the following reforms Monday:
Policy: The Whitmer Administration supports legislation that makes the following reforms to law enforcement policies:• Ban chokeholds/windpipe blockage.• Further limit the use of no-knock warrants.• Require "duty to intervene" policies.• Classify false, racially-motivated 911 calls as a hate crime.• Require in-service training for all licensed law enforcement officers to maintain licensure.• Authorize MCOLES to do the following:• Audit law enforcement agencies to ensure they are accurately reporting violations of law or improper use of force.• Establish penalties for agencies that don’t comply with reporting.• Direct the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Mental Health Diversion Council to make recommendations on best practices and training for police departments when responding to situations involving persons with mental illnesses.
Personnel: The Whitmer Administration will work with leaders in law enforcement to make the following reforms to build a more empathetic police force:• Provide incentive programs for law enforcement agencies to hire/retain officers who live where they work.• Require retention of disciplinary records resulting from violations of law or improper use of force.
Partnership/Community Engagement: The Whitmer Administration will promote the following community engagement strategies to strengthen trust between police officers and the communities they serve:• Invest in programming in communities around the state that connect local police and community leaders to build relationships.• Invest in expanding existing community relationship programs to break down barriers between police and communities around the state.
Prevention and Accountability: The Whitmer Administration will support legislation that makes the following reforms to improve transparency and accountability in investigations:• Require independent investigations of all shootings and use of force that resulted in the death of unarmed civilians at the hands of law enforcement.
“Law enforcement derives its authority from the public who entrusts us to protect and serve them, and I am fully committed to working with Governor Whitmer and her administration to increase accountability and improve transparency in order to build community support and trust," said Colonel Joe Gasper, director of the Michigan State Police.
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