Changes to Policing Introduced

Liz Gullett

May 28, 2021

A bipartisan package of bills, making changes to the practice of policing in the state, was introduced in the Senate this week. Changes within the 12-bill package includes:

- Requiring the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) to develop guidelines for independent investigations of officer-involved deaths.
- Requires Use of Force policies for all police agencies.
- Allows MCOLES to revoke an officer’s license under certain circumstances.
- Bans the intentional disclosure of the identify of a person making a misconduct complaint against a law enforcement officer.
- Bans the use of the chokehold as a restraint method except to save a life.
- Bans the use of “no-knock” warrants except in certain circumstances.
- Requires training standards regarding de-escalation, implicit bias, and behavioral health to be developed by MCOLES and requires continuing education.

The bill package has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee for consideration. The committee held the first hearing on the package on Thursday, May 27 and hearings are expected to continue for the next several weeks.

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