Even Michigan cops don't like Bill Schuette

When you're the state's top cop, and you're running to be the state's top dog, you might expect the state's largest independent police organization to endorse you.

Yet that is not the case for Republican Bill Schuette. The Michigan Association of Police Organizations has passed over the attorney general in favor of Democrat gubernatorial candidate Gretchen Whitmer.

In announcing its endorsement of Whitmer Wednesday, the police coalition touted Whitmer's track record of fighting sexual assault.

"When the Ingham County prosecutor resigned after sex scandal, Gretchen Whitmer was chosen to replace him by the judges in her county because they knew she’s tough and she had a track record of fighting to keep communities safe," said Rob Figurski, chair of the MAPO political committee and executive director of the Police Officers Labor Council. “Gretchen got that office back on track and back to protecting the people. She established a new domestic violence and sexual assault unit, which stepped up prosecution of crimes against women. That’s exactly the kind of strong leadership we need in Lansing to protect our families and our communities.”

MAPO also highlighted Whitmer's plan to end campus sexual assault, an effort that stands in sharp contrast to the Trump administration's draft plan to better protect college students accused of sexual violence. Schuette is a Trump supporter and has the president's endorsement.

MAPO is made up of more than 14,300 full-time members represented by the Detroit Police Officers Association, Michigan State Troopers Association, the Michigan Corrections Organization, and a dozen other police groups and unions throughout the state.

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