(WWJ) Governor Gretchen Whitmer is expanding Michigan's Law Enforcement Commission to open doors for police reform in the wake of George Floyd's death and nationwide protests on police brutality.
She signed Executive Order 2020-121 to add a Civil Rights Director and three community members to The Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES).
The Governor's order aims to bring "more community voices" to the table during police reform discussions; according to a press release.
"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 in the release.
Whitmer called this a "pivotal time."
The Executive Order requires the three MCOLES community members to not be law enforcement officers of any kind or employed by a law enforcement agency.
They will be appointed by the Governor.
Michigan State Police Colonel Joe Gasper said this will improve "transparency" and "accountability" in policing.
This latest move is one of many Governor Whitmer has taken to crack down on police brutality across the state, including: supporting a "series of police reform plans," and calling for increased training for officers and policies that make sure each person is treated with "dignity." She has also encouraged departments to implement "comprehensive reporting" on force used by police.
She has called on the legislature to support Senate Bill 945 which would require new officers to undergo implicit bias training and screening; mental health screenings and to learn de-escalation techniques.
The Michigan State Police Department has also taken action to reduce police brutality. They are creating an Equity and Inclusion Officer position; increasing the 'racial applicant minority pool' by 25% and the female applicant pool by 20%; and developing and instituting community policing policies statewide.
This push for change follows the death of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor this year alone; and far too many other African American men, women and teenagers who died at the hands of police officers or vigilantes.
"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 the release. "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."
