Business & Economy

Police recruiting not a problem in U.P., but retention a statewide issue

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By BRIDGET BUSH
Capital News Service
LANSING—While the state’s Upper Peninsula can attract new police recruits, its Lower Peninsula has challenges attracting qualified officers, experts say. The number of police officers is at an all-time low in Michigan, said Fred Timpner, executive director of the Michigan Association of Police. “I’ve got departments in lower Michigan that have 10 openings and five applicants,” he said. The reason is low pay and no retirement benefits, Timpner said. “What the public doesn’t realize is that 70-some percent of officers aren’t eligible for Social Security.

Government

Troopers bolster local police in high-crime communities

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By ANJANA SCHROEDER
Capital News Service
LANSING – The State Police is helping the downsized Inkster Police Department by providing increased patrols to reduce violent crime, in addition to its comprehensive cooperation effort in Detroit and three other major cities. Michael Canty of the Inkster City Council said the council passed a plan to request help for the police department. “I contacted the governor personally and his office said the state would support Inkster in any way they could,” Canty said. Two troopers were assigned indefinitely to augment the city department, he said. State Police Capt. Monica Yesh said the city’s main problem is not enough officers although Inskter’s murder and violent crime rate increased throughout 2012.