LANSING — Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed a package of bills that aim to retain police officers and make communities safer. The bills, House Bill 4176 and Senate Bill 32 aim to retain police officers and keep communities safe by allowing, in certain situations, law enforcement agencies to enter into agreements to recuperate 100% of academy training costs if they leave the agency within one year, 75% if they leave between one and two years, 50% if they leave between two and three years, and 25% if they leave between three and four years. The bills will allow local communities to keep more of their taxpayer dollars and retain officers that have built relationships with residents, as well as allow local governments to hire more officers without cutting services according to a release from the Governor’s office.
“As a former prosecutor, public safety is a top priority for me and I will work with anyone to keep Michigan communities safe,” said Governor Whitmer. “These bills will help police departments provide quality academy training and retain officers so they can build relationships with the communities they serve. Since I took office, we have delivered more than $1 billion to help local governments hire more first responders, and I will continue working with my partners in the legislature to expand opportunity and keep Michigan communities safe.”
The bill package was supported by a number of elected officials including Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan who stated, “”For too long, police recruits knew they could receive the best training available at DPD, and then take that training to a suburban department that paid them more. We’ve addressed the pay issue, and thanks to the leadership of Gov. Whitmer, Rep. Tyrone Carter and Sen. Sylvia Santana, Chief White will be able to retain the officers he trains and maintain the staffing level he needs to help make neighborhoods safer.”
Wayne County Executive Warren Evans who previously had served as both Chief of Police in Detroit and Wayne County Sheriff also spoke in support of the bills, ““As a 50-year public servant with strong roots in law enforcement; I understand that retaining police officers is crucial to maintaining the stability and effectiveness of law enforcement agencies within our communities. High turnover rates disrupt the continuity of operations, while maintaining a stable workforce helps to preserve institutional knowledge and build trust within the communities,” he said. These sentiments were echoed by current Chief of Police of Detroit James White, “This legislation will help ensure that community policing continues, with officers who know the neighborhoods staying with their departments to protect and serve with the experience, familiarity and trust that residents deserve.”
