Kildee Announces Bill to Invest in Mid-Michigan Police Departments

WASHINGTON—Congressman Dan Kildee, Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus, today announced new legislation to increase funding for mid-Michigan law enforcement departments to help reduce crime and enhance public safety by funding the recruitment, retention and training of officers. Video and photos of the press conference are available here.

Congressman Kildee's legislation, the Invest to Protect Act, would create a new grant program for officer recruitment, retention and other personnel costs, mental health resources for officers, as well as body cameras and other equipment to invest in local police departments. This program would specifically benefit smaller police departments—those that employ fewer than 200 officers—in Genesee, Saginaw, Bay and Midland counties—which are critical to public safety but are often left out of federal funding programs.

"Everyone should feel safe in their community. I'm proud to introduce legislation to increase funding for mid-Michigan law enforcement, so they can hire more police officers and keep our neighborhoods and communities safe," said Congressman Kildee.

Congressman Kildee's bipartisan bill is endorsed by National Fraternal Order of Police, National Association of Police Organizations, National Sheriffs' Association and the National Troopers Coalition.

Congressman Kildee strongly opposes any attempt to "defund" the police. In February, Congressman Kildee announced additional legislation, supported by Republicans and Democrats, to nearly triple funding available to law enforcement over the next 10 years and expand COPS grants to hire more police officers and increase officer wages.

"Congressman Kildee is far more than an elected leader who stands for Law Enforcement. He gets it done along with those with whom he serves! As the Sheriff of Genesee County, I am grateful for the Congressman's work for the people," said Genesee County Sheriff Christopher R. Swanson.

"We appreciate all the support Congressman Kildee is working to provide to help us serve the citizens of the City of Saginaw and make our city a safer place to live, work and play," said Robert M. Ruth, Chief of Police, Saginaw Police Department.

"I would like to thank Congressman Dan Kildee for his support of the Invest to Protect Act. The recruitment and retention of highly qualified police officers has been challenging however this bill will play a significant role in helping departments meet their staffing needs so they can better serve their communities. The opportunities for training, mental health resources, and equipment will not only help our dedicated officers but will help our communities stay safe and strong," said Ron Wiles, President of the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police and Chief of Police of the Grand Blanc Township Police Department.

"I am proud to stand with Congressman Kildee in his fight to support Michigan law enforcement. Especially smaller, local departments have faced big challenges recruiting and retaining qualified officers due to their size and lack of resources. This legislation would make important investments in departments like these—and in the men and women that serve in law enforcement —to give them the training and resources they need to keep mid-Michigan communities safe," said Bay County Sheriff Troy R. Cunningham.

"I am very excited about the introduction of this legislation. Police departments are not considered revenue generating entities, and when you're a small department, funding streams sometime are more difficult to come by. Congressman Kildee's initiative is what a department, like mine, needs. This type of federal support is what is needed at the municipal level," said Reggie Williams, Chief of the Buena Vista Police Department.

"The Invest to Protect Act is another important piece of legislation championed by Congressman Dan Kildee. It will provide law enforcement agencies with under 200 sworn officers, grant funding for officer recruitment, hiring, and retention bonuses. It will also provide funding for needed equipment, training and for mental health resources needed by officers," said Michael Cecchini, Bay City Public Safety Director.

As a part of the American Rescue Plan, Congressman Kildee helped deliver $350 billion to communities across the U.S. that can be used to fund local police departments. Every single Republican voted against this relief.

Congressman Kildee is committed to reducing crime and keeping mid-Michigan communities safe. In October 2021, Kildee announced federal grants totaling $266,312 for Genesee, Bay and Saginaw Counties to purchase new patrol vehicles, equipment and support police operations. In November 2021, Kildee announced a $785,555 COPS grant for the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe to hire police officers and support public safety efforts.