Four years after first proposing significant police reform legislation, Michigan state senators are reintroducing a comprehensive package of bills aimed at increasing accountability, transparency, and public trust in law enforcement.
Many of the measures were initially introduced in 2020 following the death of George Floyd, whose murder by a police officer in Minneapolis sparked protests against police brutality across the U.S. The efforts failed to pass in prior sessions but have gained renewed momentum amid ongoing public demand for reform.
The package includes bills to regulate no-knock warrants, establish stronger use-of-force guidelines, require police intervention in cases of excessive force, and bolster protections for people filing complaints against law enforcement officers.
One of the bills would impose stricter regulations on no-knock warrants, requiring officers to be “clearly recognizable” as law enforcement and prohibiting the use of flashbangs. The legislation also mandates that officers obtain a warrant to enter a property by force.
Another bill requires all law enforcement agencies to adopt a written policy within six months mandating officers to intervene and report when they witness a colleague using excessive force. Agencies must also establish use-of-force guidelines, including defining physical force that restricts air or blood flow as “deadly force.”
The package also addresses body camera tampering, making it illegal to destroy, conceal, or deactivate a body camera during incidents involving excessive force. Violators could face up to 90 days in jail.
Additionally, the bills take aim at wandering cops, which are officers who move from department to department after engaging in misconduct. In recent months, Metro Times has reported about wandering cops and how easily they get new jobs.
Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) would be required to revoke the licenses of officers found to have used excessive force resulting in death or serious injury. The legislation also strengthens background checks for officers and standardizes reporting requirements for those facing criminal charges or personal protection orders.
The bills also aim to protect the public from retaliation when filing complaints against officers. One measure creates the “Reporting of Law Enforcement Officer Misconduct Privacy Act,” requiring that complaints remain anonymous unless the complainant consents to being identified.
The reforms also focus on preventing harmful interactions before they occur. One bill calls for MCOLES to establish minimum standards for training in de-escalation, implicit bias, and crisis response. Another proposes creating the Office of Social Work and Police Partnerships to integrate social workers into law enforcement agencies and boost cross-training between the two professions.
While previous attempts to pass similar legislation failed, the reintroduction comes as public pressure for police accountability remains strong. Advocates hope that the renewed effort will gain bipartisan support.
The bills are expected to be soon introduced formally in committee hearings. Advocates and lawmakers alike are urging swift action to prevent further harm and ensure justice for Michigan’s communities.
