The Michigan Senate has adopted a bill to require training for all law enforcement officers in recognizing bias and de-escalating conflicts.
The bill moved unusually fast from a Senate committee to a floor vote as protests continue across the state against police brutality. The training and continuing education for officers would have to include developing skills to recognize bias and de-escalate conflicts.
State Senator Erica Geiss said the protests show there’s an urgent need to move policing into a new era…
“… that truly bends the arc towards equity, equality, liberty, and justice for all.”
The bill was adopted on a bipartisan 38-to-zero vote. It now goes to the state House. Governor Gretchen Whitmer has expressed her support. But law enforcement groups say what’s still missing is training standards, and a guarantee the state will back up the requirement with funding.