FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

June 13, 2023

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Gov. Whitmer Signs Bill to Retain Police Officers, Keep Communities Safe

LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation aimed at retaining police officers and keeping communities safe. The legislation allows law enforcement agencies to enter into agreements to collect reimbursement for all or part of the cost of an employee’s academy training, based on the length of service, if the employee voluntarily leaves employment with the agency within four years of completing academy training.

“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.”

“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,” said Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans. “High turnover rates disrupt the continuity of operations, while maintaining a stable workforce helps to preserve institutional knowledge and build trust within the communities.”

“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,” said Mayor Duggan. “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.”

“I want to thank Governor Whitmer and the legislature for their leadership in helping keep Detroit and communities across Michigan safe by working to ensure departments can retain talented, trained officers,” said Detroit Police Chief James E. 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.”

Governor Whitmer signed House Bill 4176 and Senate Bill 32.

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.

“I appreciate the support of my legislative colleagues and Governor Whitmer to finally address this important issue to support and retain quality, Detroit-trained police officers in our city,” said state Senator Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit). “This law will strengthen the Detroit Police Department, protect Detroiters’ tax dollars, and most importantly, improve public safety and keep our neighborhoods and our people safe.”

“This legislation will ensure we are keeping public safety in Detroit a priority while being fiscally responsible,” said state Representative Tyrone Carter (D-Detroit). “Law enforcement agencies who pay for a recruit’s training will no longer run the risk of losing both what they paid for and the trained officer to another agency. I am proud of the work we put it to pass the legislation and grateful to have the Governor’s support in getting this signed into law.”

Investing in Public Safety 

As a former prosecutor, Governor Whitmer has prioritized protecting communities by investing $1 billion in public safety. The governor’s budget from this year includes $36.6 million in funding specifically dedicated for local public safety for the first time in our state’s history, and revenue sharing with local governments is up 29% over the governor’s tenure, helping communities invest in public safety and first responders. The governor launched Operation Safe Neighborhoods, a statewide crackdown on crime aimed at reducing gun violence by getting illegal guns out of communities and out of the hands of people who cannot legally be in possession of a gun due to prior criminal history. Operation Safe Neighborhoods has recovered almost 400 illegal guns in less than a year. Earlier this year, the governor signed a package of commonsense gun safety bills establishing universal background checks for all firearm purchases, safe storage requirements, and extreme risk protection orders.