There is a recruitment and retainment problem in Michigan’s police force, and the House Republicans have a plan to help.
A new package of bills introduced Thursday to the House budget plan will emphasize changes in training and equipment but, possibly more importantly, offer funds to grow department staffs.
While there have been bills pushed forth in the past year that are focused on training and policy decisions when it comes to police reform, this pack of bills really focuses on retention. Helping departments keep the officers they have and bring in good ones.
“I’ve been in this business for over 40 years and I can tell you that morale is at its lowest point I’ve ever seen,” said Ken Grabowski of the Police Officers Association of Michigan.
According to the House GOP, using a blend of federal and state funding, the plan includes multiple items to help attract new talent to the profession, develop the skills of existing police officers, and fund important services like road patrols and community policing. The changes include the following:
- Tuition assistance for people considering the police academy
- A work study program to give people an opportunity to consider a career
- Incentives for community policing
- Incentives for expanded use of body cameras
- Incentives for de-escalation training
- Access to mental health services for police, corrections workers and other first responders
- A signing bonus for new officers
- State support for secondary road patrols
- State support for recruiting strong candidates into the academies
“Right now we have counties with 65 openings,” said Speaker of the House Jason Wentworth, “We have counties that never even had applicants file for an opening. This is insane right now in the state of Michigan.”
There are two main issues, especially hitting rural departments, with fewer people want to be an officer or deputy.
“The idea of wearing uniform right now,” said Michael Shea, Gladwin County Sheriff, “Everybody lumps folks together.”
Then current officers are leaving the industry for more pay and less stress.
“It’s hard to be in this job now and get paid what they get paid and some of them can leave and go to work in a retail job,” said John Wilson, Clare County Sheriff, “Not have the weight of the whole nation on you and make more money stocking shelves.”
These bills were part of a larger supplemental bill package that passed through the House Thursday afternoon and will now head to the Senate for their opinions.
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