Michigan Law Enforcement Commission Adds Civil Rights Director

MICHIGAN — Michigan is adding four seats to The Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES), aiming to bring more community voices to the table as the commission considers police reforms.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer made the announcement Friday, adding that the Director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights and three community members appointed by the governor will occupy the seats.

“Expanding the commission to bring diverse, community voices to the table during this national conversation and movement to improve community-police relations is a proactive step toward strengthening and healing our communities together,” Whitmer said. “While there is more to do, this is a pivotal time. I look forward to working with law enforcement, the community and with everyone else who wants to build a more just, equitable state for all Michiganders.”

“We have the power and responsibility to change the current system to include more diverse voices and visions for the future,” Lt. Governor Gilchrist said in a statement. “When we bring more full and complete community representation to the policy-making table, our policies begin to look like, feel like, and be more responsive to the people we serve.”

Under the executive order, the three members appointed by the governor must not be a law enforcement officer, a Michigan tribal law enforcement officer, or be employed by or otherwise affiliated with a law enforcement agency or a law enforcement training academy.

The move is one of many taken by Michigan officials in the past two weeks to reform state law enforcement agencies in the wake of the killing of George Floyd, a black man who died with a knee on his neck while in the custody of Minneapolis Police.

Related: George Floyd Protests In Michigan: Reaction From Across The State

On June 3, Whitmer announced her support for a series of policy plans for police reform in Michigan, calling on Michigan law enforcement agencies to enhance their training and policies to help create a police culture where all Michiganders are treated with dignity and respect under the law.

Whitmer also voiced her support for measures that require law enforcement officers to complete training on implicit bias and de-escalation techniques, and applauded the Senate for taking up Senate Bill 945, sponsored by Sen. Jeff Irwin, which addresses many of these issues.

The governor also urged police agencies to require their officers to intervene when they observe an excessive use of force by another officer, which will save lives and help to keep people safe.

“This is an important first step for everyone in Michigan," said Wayne County Prosecuting Attorney Kym Worthy. "The Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement has certainly done some important work when it comes to recognizing that there must be new standards for policing, training, and law enforcement reform. Clearly, there is a lot of work to do as they move forward and these additional voices will greatly enhance these efforts.”