COMMUNITY COLLEGES: POLICE - S.B. 614 (S-3): FLOOR ANALYSIS

Senate Bill 614 (Substitute S-3 as reported)

Sponsor: Senator Jon Cisky

Committee: Judiciary

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Community College Act to allow the board of trustees of a community college to grant to its public safety officers or police officers the powers and authority of a peace or law enforcement officer. Public safety or police officers granted that authority would have the same powers and authority of a peace officer under the Code of Criminal Procedure and as provided under the Michigan Vehicle Code, and would have to meet the minimum standards of the Michigan Law Enforcement Officers Training Council Act. The jurisdiction of these officers would include all property owned or leased by the community college in Michigan and extend to the public right-of-way traversing or contiguous to that property. Jurisdiction would be limited to the protection of persons and property on the college's property, unless an emergency response were made off campus at the specific request of another law enforcement agency.

Before granting community college public safety or police officers the powers and authority of peace or law enforcement officers, a community college board of trustees would have to conduct at least two public hearings, and create a public safety oversight committee. The committee would receive and address grievances by persons against the college's public safety or police officers or its public safety or police department, and could recommend that disciplinary measures be taken against an officer who was found responsible for misconduct in office.

The public safety or police department of each community college would have to submit monthly uniform crime reports to the Department of State Police.

The bill is tie-barred to Senate Bills 758 and 759.

MCL 389.128-389.131 - Legislative Analyst: S. Lowe

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government. Many community colleges within the State (Macomb, Lansing, Delta, Grand Rapids, Oakland, and Kirkland, for example) already employ a Public Safety Department consisting of peace officers certified by the Michigan Law Enforcement Officers Training Council. These officers are deputized by a local law enforcement agency, but otherwise work directly for a community college. The bill would permit the shift of the ability to grant the power and authority of a police officer from a local law enforcement agency to a community college.

Date Completed: 11-12-97 - Fiscal Analyst: B. Baker

- M. Hansen

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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.