LANSING (WTVB) - The number of hours Branch County Sheriff’s Deputies are behind the wheel in their squad cars could be on the rise. In naming his new Michigan State Police Director two weeks ago, Governor Rick Snyder created a commission to find ways to cut costs and provide better police protection by increasing cooperation and reducing redundant services.
To some in the law enforcement community, the MIRS news service reports the move signaled the possible elimination of Michigan State Police patrols in favor of stepped-up county road patrols, the old "blue v. brown" debate.
Back in 1991, some feared that former Governor John Engler would eliminate MSP patrols entirely. Instead, he made 42 of the then-65 state police posts operate on an 8 a.m. to-5 p.m. schedule for the general public. Making such a shift now would have the counties looking for guarantees that they get properly compensated for the added responsibility, rather than travel down the road of unfunded mandates.
Consultant Dennis Darnoi said the idea poses the question of whether or not people would accept laying off a thousand troopers if the net result is nearly $100 million dollars in savings. Still others might view it as eliminating police protection. Some counties in Michigan have already reduced or eliminated road patrols and cutting out the state police would create so called “dead zones” across the state.
