Stories tagged: "police reform"


New police officers participate in "Trooper Recruit School" with the Michigan State Police. (Michigan State Police via Facebook)
A New Bill Aims to Stop Michigan Cops From Lying to Children—Because They Can Really Do That

A first-term state representative from Garden City is pushing for legislation that would prevent police officers from using deceptive tactics to solicit confessions from kids, which is legal in Michigan.

Protesters chant and lock arms as they approach police lines during a march through Grand Rapids, Mich., April 16, 2022. (Daniel Shular/The Grand Rapids Press via AP)
Police Reforms Tested in Michigan City Where Officer Killed Black Man

City leaders say policing reforms and outreach to Grand Rapids' Black community, including the clergy, helped to keep the peace after Lyoya's slaying. Others believe the reform efforts have been slow and their impact superficial at best.

Ex-Grand Rapids Police Officer Christopher Schurr appears for a court hearing at the Kent County Courthouse in Grand Rapids, Mich., Oct. 26, 2022. (Cory Morse/The Grand Rapids Press via AP, File)
Michigan Judge Denies Ex-Cop’s Bid to Drop Murder Charge in Lyoya Case

A Michigan judge on Friday refused to dismiss a second-degree murder charge against a former Grand Rapids police officer who was fired after shooting a Black motorist in the back of the head during a struggle over a Taser.

Sen. Erika Geiss (D-Taylor) speaks at the state Capitol for the MI Body MI Choice event on Oct. 2, 2021. (Allison R. Donahue/Michigan Advance)
Black Lawmakers Pursue Legislation to Prevent Police Brutality in Michigan

Senate Appropriations Committee Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing) said her colleagues plan to reintroduce measures to address police brutality, no-knock warrants and other matters such as funding for training.

From left, interpreter Israel Siku, Peter Lyoya, and attorney Ven Johnson watch, Thursday, June 9, 2022, in Detroit as Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker explains his decision to charge Grand Rapids police Officer Christopher Schurr with second-degree murder during a press conference at the Michigan State Police sixth district headquarters in Walker. Schurr fatally shot Black motorist Patrick Lyoya on April 4. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Grand Rapids Cop Who Killed Patrick Lyoya Charged With Second Degree Murder

The April 4 killing was recorded by a bystander and video shows Lyoya was on the ground when he was killed. Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker said Officer Christopher Schurr acted unreasonably when he shot Lyoya in the back of the head during a traffic stop.

(Getty Images)
What’s Being Done About Racial, Ethnic Disparities Found in MSP Traffic Stops

“Michiganders deserve unbiased policing, transparency, and accountability from their state police, and that’s what they’re going to get,” said MSP Director Col. Joe Gasper. 

Police in riot gear dispatched to de-escalate a protest in Detroit. (Photo by Franz Knight)
He Was Unfairly Arrested. Here’s What He Has to Say About Police Reform.

A Springfield father was arrested in front of his children while collecting signatures to form a tenants' association. “It was very traumatizing," he said.