A trio of bills set to be debated by the Michigan legislatures is set to change the rules, and increase penalties for anyone who attacks a first-responder on the job.
House Bills 4580, 4590 an 4591 aim to set a felony penalty for anyone who attacks a law enforcement official while on the job. The move comes amid increased tensions between the public and police — the House Republican Caucus citing statistics from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund that 93 police officers have been killed in 2017 as of mid-September.
“It’s something that we talk about, something that we have to keep in mind when we train,” said Milford Police Chief Thomas Lindberg.
Chief Lindberg is one of three police chiefs expected to travel to Lansing on Tuesday morning to testify before the House Law and Justice Committee.
Lindberg told 7 Action News that he’s already expecting at least one change to the bill. He said corrections officers who work in jails and prisons will likely be added to the group of first-responders protected by the bill.
“It is very straightforward,” he said. “There will be some comments, there will even be some people that don’t like it — that’s the way the process is. For me? I see it as a no-brainer and something that people will embrace.”
Detroit Police Chief James Craig is also expected to testify at the hearing on Tuesday.
His speech comes after a tough stretch for the Detroit Police Department. Between October 2016 and May 2017 eight Detroit officers have been shot or killed on the job.
“There is plenty of danger that comes with being a police officer or firefighter,” said state Rep. Klint Kesto. “Being targeted for wearing the uniform or trying to help is not a part of what we should allow in our society.”
Testimony begins Tuesday at 9 a.m. inside the House Office Building. The House Law and Justice Committee will meet inside Room 327.
