Sheriff Michael Bouchard
Tension between cops and communities around the country as of late has prompted sheriff's departments in Metro Detroit to take action.
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard, Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham and Wayne County Undersheriff Daniel Pfannes held a press conference at the Oakland County Sheriff's Office in Pontiac Tuesday to announce plans to improve relations, John Turk of The Oakland Press reports.
Proposals include using $50 million for officer training statewide, updated officer hiring practices, several legislative changes to police reporting processes and tighter restrictions on whether officers’ body camera footage would be FOIA-able
“In my 29 years in law enforcement, I have never seen an environment like this,” Oakland County Sheriff Bouchard said at the press conference. He was referencing a survey that said 80 percent of law enforcement employees would not suggest jobs in the field to friends or family, Turk reports.
“Many police officers feel like they’re the Vietnam vets of the (1970s). They feel like they’re putting their lives on the line, and feel beaten up and under-appreciated.”