Gov. Whitmer Proposes Additional Police Reforms in Michigan

In an effort to strengthen relationships between law enforcement and Michigan citizens, Governor Gretchen Whitmer has proposed additional police reform policies in order to ensure that all Michiganders are treated with dignity under the law.

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"All Michiganders, no matter their community or the color of their skin, deserve equal treatment under the law,” Governor Whitmer said in a press release. “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."

The following reforms were proposed today (6/29) by the governor:

• 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 who don’t comply with reporting.

Governor Whitmer's administrations also said it will provide incentive programs for law enforcement agencies to hire and retain officers who live where they work and require police agencies to retain disciplinary records for officers who have violated the law or used improper use of force.