STATE POLICE OFFICER GRADES                                                                     S.B. 328:

                                                                                            ANALYSIS AS ENROLLED

Senate Bill 328 (as enrolled)                                                                                      

Sponsor:  Senator Tonya Schuitmaker

Senate Committee:  Judiciary

House Committee:  Judiciary

Date Completed:  1-29-16

RATIONALE

Public Act 59 of 1935 provides for the creation and organization of the Michigan Department of State Police (MSP). Among other things, the Act identifies the grades and duties of MSP officers. Since this provision was last amended in 1976, the MSP has created two officer ranks and eliminated the designation of female troopers as policewomen. It has been suggested that the statute should reflect current MSP officer grades and discontinue use of the term "policewoman".

CONTENT

The bill would amend Public Act 59 of 1935 to create the officer grades of inspector and recruit and delete reference to the officer grade of "policewoman".

The Act identifies the grades and duties of State Police officers as "colonel, lieutenant colonel, major, captain, lieutenant, sergeant, trooper, and policewoman". The bill would create the officer grade "inspector", between captain and lieutenant, and the grade "recruit", after trooper.

The bill would take effect 90 days after its enactment.

MCL 28.8

ARGUMENTS

(Please note:  The arguments contained in this analysis originate from sources outside the Senate Fiscal Agency.  The Senate Fiscal Agency neither supports nor opposes legislation.)

Supporting Argument

Female MSP law enforcement officers have not been referred to by the designation of "policewoman" for many years, and that outdated term should be deleted from statute. The term dates back to the 1970s, when female law enforcement officers were a relatively new phenomenon and there were few women serving in the State Police. Today, 186 women serve in the ranks of the MSP, in every officer grade from trooper to colonel (the Director of the MSP). These dedicated and capable law enforcement professionals deserve the respect and dignity of being known as "troopers" and other applicable officers.

Supporting Argument

In addition to the officer grades designated in statute, the MSP currently has officers serving in the capacity of inspector, and academy cadets are referred to as recruits. Adding the officer grades of "inspector" and "recruit" to the Act would reflect current MSP policy.

Legislative Analyst:  Patrick Affholter

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

                                                                                       Fiscal Analyst:  Bruce Baker

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.