Kristi Fortine, Grand Traverse County: letter to include corrections officers in PA 312

Summary

A letter to The Honorable Steve Marino, Chairman, and members of the Commerce and Tourism Committee from a County Corrections Deputy of Grand Traverse County, urging support for House Bill 5623, sponsored by Rep. Jack O'Malley. The letter states that the bill would include county corrections officers in the definition of public police, and that because of a court opinion county corrections officers are not currently eligible to utilize PA 312. It describes the change as important for recruitment and retention in jails. It states that deputies who work in jails have had one of the most difficult jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The Honorable Steve Marino

Chairman, Commerce and Tourism Committee
S-788 House Office Building

P.O. Box 30014

Lansing, Mi 48909

Dear Chairman Marino and members of the Commerce and Tourism Committee:

As County Corrections Deputy, public safety is my number one priority. Law enforcement takes
on a variety of roles, jobs and responsibilities, but the commitment to service and the safety of
our public runs deep within the core of all law enforcement officers.

1 write to urge the Commerce and Tourism Committee to support House Bill 5623 sponsored by
Rep. Jack O'Malley. House Bill 5623 would include county corrections officers in the definition of
public police. As a result of a rogue court opinion, county corrections officers are not currently
eligible to utilize PA 312. Whether a deputy sheriff works on the road or in the jail they are
critical service personne! and should be eligible for the same PA 312 protections.

As a corrections deputy, this is important from a recruitment and retention standpoint in our jails.
All law enforcement agencies are struggling to keep existing employees and find new talent.
This is another tocl for the retention and recruitment of corrections officers in Michigan.

Finally, as we have seen the past several months during this COVID-19 pandemic, deputies that
work in jails have one of the most difficult jobs. Now is the time to fix this statue and include
corrections officers in PA 312.

Respectfully,

Kristi Fortine

Grand Traverse County
104" House District
37" Senate District

Cc: POAM
Rep. Larry Inman
Sen. Wayne Schmidt


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