Whitmer makes appointments to Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES)

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently announced the following appointments to the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards.

“By bringing more diverse voices together, we can enact important changes to police procedures and build a more equitable state,” said Whitmer. “Having community leaders and the director of the Department of Civil Rights on this commission will help us ensure we’re enacting reforms to ensure everyone, no matter who they are, is treated fairly under the law. I look forward to working with this group and with everyone else who wants to build a more just, equitable Michigan.”

On June 12, Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-121 to add four members to the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES)—the director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights and three community members appointed by the governor.

The governor’s order will bring more community voices to the table as the commission considers police improvements for our state. On August 14 the governor appointed the following three community members to the Commission:

• Tellis J. Chapman, of Detroit, is the pastor at Galilee Baptist Church. Chapman is a board member of National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. and the director of their pastors’ and ministers’ division. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Jackson State University and honorary doctorates from Natchez College and Dallas Baptist College. Chapman is appointed to represent residents of the state for a term commencing August 14, 2020 and expiring December 31, 2023.

• Jeffery A. Hawkin Sr., of Flint, is the pastor and president of Prince of Peace Missionary Baptist Church and the owner of A & J Janitorial Services. He has experience teaching diversity and cultural training in the community and with local police departments. Hawkins is appointed to represent residents of the state for a term commencing August 14, 2020 and expiring December 31, 2022.

• Lisa R. Jackson, of Ypsilanti, is a psychology professor and department chair at Schoolcraft College and chair of the Ann Arbor Independent Community Police Oversight Commission. She holds a Ph.D. in Biological Psychology from the University of Michigan.  Jackson is appointed to represent residents of the state for a term commencing August 14, 2020 and expiring December 31, 2021.

Additionally, the governor announced the following appointment to fill a vacancy on the Commission:

• Eric P. Payne, of Grand Rapids, is the chief of police for the Grand Rapids Police Department. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Grand Valley State University and he studied at the Northwestern University Basic Hostage Negotiation School. Payne is appointed to represent an individual nominated by the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police for a term commencing August 14, 2020 and expiring December 31, 2021. He succeeds Donald Mawer who has resigned.

The Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) executes its statutory responsibility to promote public safety in Michigan by setting standards for selection, employment, licensing, license revocation, and funding in law enforcement and criminal justice, in both the public and private sectors.   

These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.