House Committee Approves $250 Supplemental Bill For Public Safety

police9-123
police9-123

The Michigan House Appropriations committee has approved a $250 million supplemental bill to support public safety. Bill sponsor State Representative Mike Mueller, a former police officer, explains to colleagues some of what it’ll be used for.

“Included in that is $40 million to offer police academy scholarships and stipends to help attract candidates who simply can’t afford to go without a paycheck for six to 18 months while they train to be a police officer,” Mueller said. “We’re providing $20 million in grants for communities to offer signing and retention bonuses to emergency responders and corrections officers.”

Mueller says some will be used to help first responders with mental health challenges. He says he contemplated suicide after being involved in an officer involved shooting in 2009.