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Rep. Kahle advocates for plan to further bolster police, public safety in Michigan
RELEASE|December 2, 2021

House approves $368.5 million in support, needed resources for first responders

State Rep. Bronna Kahle of Adrian today helped lead efforts to gain state House approval of a plan to significantly bolster support for Michigan’s law enforcement and public safety personnel – giving them the needed resources to better protect the people they serve.

The bipartisan-approved measures include $368.5 million in funding and policy reforms to help first responders with recruitment and retention efforts, community outreach and equipment upgrades.

“I’ve spoken with law enforcement and public safety personnel here in Lenawee County and I know retention and morale are seriously suffering as a result of anti-police movements,” Kahle said. “Our communities would be in a bleak state if it weren’t for their important work to keep citizens and families safe. It’s important we ensure they have the resources they need to continue providing much-needed support to our communities.”

The supplemental appropriation is funded by one-time federal COVID relief and surplus state resources.

The updated plan is an even greater investment beyond the $80 million plan the House approved in May and the $250 million plan House Republicans unveiled last month. In the wake of the tragic school shooting in Oxford, it adds even more funding for school resource officers to work proactively with students and give parents more peace of mind when sending their kids to school each day.

The revised plan adds more support for firefighters and EMS personnel, while maintaining its focus on public safety recruitment and retention, community outreach and equipment upgrades. A special focus is on recruiting law enforcement officers now working in other states to Michigan.

Kahle delivered a floor speech urging her fellow legislators to cast their vote in support of the plan today. Her speech noted that there are hundreds of unfilled positions across the state.

“When we provide our local police, firefighters and other public safety personnel with the tools they need to keep us safe, we put Michigan families first,” Kahle said during her speech. “We’ve got to do a better job of attracting high quality recruits to public safety and keeping them in the profession here in Michigan or our communities will suffer as a result.”

Pillars of the House plan include:

Recruitment and retention: The initiative includes $57.5 million for a ‘Move to Michigan’ recruitment plan to help attract officers now working in other states. The plan ensures officers moving to Michigan will keep retirement benefits they’ve already earned in other states. Tuition assistance and grants to help offset expenses will make attending a police academy a more practical, affordable and possible option for local law enforcement and corrections officer candidates. Local departments will also be eligible to receive grants to offer job shadowing and signing bonuses to new hires. Local law enforcement, fire departments, EMS agencies and corrections departments would get recruitment marketing support.

Public safety personnel who miss work because of COVID-19 quarantine could be reimbursed for lost wages and leave time. An additional $7.5 million would support mental health assistance for local law enforcement, firefighters, EMS personnel and other public safety officers.

Policy changes will allow local law enforcement agencies to pay for a new recruit’s academy tuition and enter a five-year employment contract with them. If the recruit leaves within that period they would be required to reimburse the agency for a portion of the training costs based on the amount of time spent with the department after their training is complete.

Other reforms expand the pool of qualified recruits, remove hurdles for returning officers and provide resources for part-time public service assistant positions to perform routine law enforcement tasks.

Strengthening bonds in neighborhoods and schools: The plan provides $10 million in grants for community policing initiatives shown to improve relationships between officers and people in the neighborhoods they serve. The mix of community policing and mentorship that make the Police Athletic League so successful in Detroit would be expanded to other communities with a $15 million investment.

Supplying essential equipment: More resources would be available for body-worn cameras and gear, narcotics team gear, communications equipment upgrades, local police K-9 units, and other essentials.

The plan now advances to the Senate for further consideration.

Michigan House Republicans

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