Law Enforcement fatalities drop 61% compared to 2021, firearms deaths remain high
Excerpted from National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund and 2022 End-of-Year Preliminary Law Enforcement Officers Fatalities Report
Overall Law Enforcement line-of-duty deaths dropped by 61 percent when compared to 2021’s record number, however firearms-related deaths remain high, according to the 2022 End-of-Year Preliminary Law Enforcement Officers Fatalities Report.
As of Dec. 31, 2022, 226 officers died in the line-of-duty compared to 586 in 2021. The dramatic decrease in fatalities is almost entirely attributable to declines in COVID-19 deaths, according to the report, issued by National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF). Seventy officers died as a result of contracting COVID-19 while executing official duties in 2022 compared to 405 who died from the disease in 2021, an 83 percent decline.
However, COVID-19 remains the number one cause of law enforcement deaths in 2022, according to the report.
“While America’s law enforcement officers are still battling the deadly effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a significant reduction in such overall deaths, likely attributed to reduced infection rates and the broad availability and use of vaccinations,” according to the report.
Firearms-related fatalities claimed 64 officers in 2022, which mirrors firearms-related deaths in 2021. This is a significant increase over the past decade. Both years represent a 21 percent rise in firearms fatalities compared to the average of 53 deaths from 2010-2020.
“While overall line-of-duty deaths are trending down,” said National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund CEO Marcia Ferranto, “the continuing trend of greater-than-average firearms-related deaths continues to be a serious concern. Using and reporting on this data allows us to highlight the continuing cost of maintaining our democracy, regrettably measured in the lives of the many law enforcement professionals who sacrifice everything fulfilling their promise to serve and protect.”
Read more: Law Enforcement fatalities drop 61% compared to 2021, firearms deaths remain high
Karoub Associates releases Michigan Government Directory for 102nd Legislature 2023-2024
Karoub Associates released the Michigan Government Directory for the 102nd Legislature (2023-2024), which features contact information for the Governor's office, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Legislature and State Department Directors. The directory also lists legislative committee members and subcommitee members.
Nearly $25 million in grant funding awarded to hire 195 Michigan School Resource Officers
Nearly $25 million in grant funding has been awarded to 195 school districts, intermediate school districts, and public-school academies to support hiring 195 School Resource Officers (SROs) in Michigan for the next three years.
“Every parent wants their kids to be safe at school,” said Governor Gretcher Whitmer. “These grants will help us hire almost 200 more School Resource Officers so we can make sure our children, teacher, and staff are safe at school. Let’s keep working together to make record investments in our students and improve their classroom experience, build up school infrastructure, hire excellent educators, and invest in their comprehensive well-being, from mental health to safety.”
More than 334,000 Michigan students will benefit from improved safety and security provided by these Law Enforcement Officers.
The grants were awarded by a panel consisting of representatives from education and policing. They gave priority to schools and school districts lacking a School Resource Officer and schools from more communities with lower student enrollment and less total per pupil funding. These funds administered by the Michigan State Police (MSP), Grants and Community Services Division, may be used to support salaries, benefits and training for SROs. Each applicant jurisdiction is required to provide a 50 percent match.
“These grant awards will not only help to provide better safety in our school buildings by increasing the number of schools throughout the state with at least one SRO, but very importantly, by prioritizing smaller schools in more remote areas, we will reduce the time it takes for a police response in the event of an emergency,” said MSP Director Col. Joe Gasper.
In June, Gov. Whitmer signed legislation that fully funds risk assessments and critical incidence mapping at every school in the state to help protect students and create safety plans in the event of an emergency.
MAP Executive Board Officers
SERESA Dispatchers
CONTRACT
“I believe the increases in wages and the tuition bonuses for those that came in with a degree are the biggest takeaways,” said MAP Labor Relations Specialist Gregg Allen. “I think there were several Employees who have degrees and would benefit from the annual bonuses.”
“The best part of the contract is probably the education incentives because a lot of people have either been looking to go back to school or already have completed degrees,” said Ashley Obodzinski, SERESA Dispatchers Local Union President . “We don’t technically need a degree, so they’re … not being compensated at all. Our director is really big on furthering your education. He always gives us the opportunity to sit in with him and learn more and really pushes education, so his say on that played a big part in the decision the board made. They’re now letting supervisors cover part of the Overtime, so we’re not burning out Dispatchers for Overtime every day. If you’re forced (into Overtime) more than 12 hours within a 7-day work period, (the new contract) says Dispatchers receive credit for double those hours for any OT hours (beyond) 12 hours in that rolling week. Whoever has the lowest hours gets the forced Overtime. Everyone wants off the holidays, but with this type of job it’s just not going to work like that.”
Contract Duration: 3-year agreement ratified Oct. 12, 2022 and effective 7-1-22 to 6-30-25.
Wage Increases:
2% increase effective July 1, 2022.
4% increase effective July 1, 2023.
4% increase effective July 1, 2024.
Sen. Peters shares new PACT Act VA benefits information
Approaching Veterans Day, U.S. Senator Gary Peters has been spreading the word about new Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) resources available to Michigan veterans.
"Many of our nation’s heroes are suffering as a result of being exposed to harmful substances like Agent Orange or toxic burn pits during their service," Peters wrote in an email to constituents. "That’s why I was proud to help pass the Honoring Our PACT Act into law to finally ensure these veterans, along with their survivors, can obtain their long-overdue health care and benefits through the VA."
Peters traveled across Michigan to meet with local veterans and their families to raise awareness about these new benefits.
The VA is expected to begin processing claims under this new law in January, however, veterans can now file claims and apply for PACT Act-related benefits by calling the Veterans Administration (VA) at (800) 698-2411 or filing a claim online for disability benefits and/or VA health care.
Please click here for Peters' press release about the PACT Act.
Click here for a Q & A and more PACT Act details.
For further assistance navigating the new benefits, contact Sen. Peters office toll free at (844) 506-7420.
Democrats retain Michigan Executive offices, flip control of Senate, House in unofficial election results
In a historic election, Democrats not only retained the office of Michigan Governor, Attorney General and Secretary of
State, according to unofficial election results, but also took control of the State Senate and House of Representatives.
As reported in the November 2022 Karoub Report, Democrats won the Senate majority for the first time since 1984, with a 20-18 majority, based on unofficial Nov. 8 election results. Controlled by a Republican majority since 2010, Democrats also flipped control of the House of Representatives with unofficial results of a 56-54 majority.
Three ballot proposals amending the Michigan Constitution have also passed, acccording to preliminary election results.
For more election coverage details, please click here for the November 2022 Karoub Report.
Whitmer signs legislation protecting public safety, municipal retirees
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed several bipartisan bills including legislation to protect public safety and municipal retirees, improve mental health standards, increase polling locations, and explore further clean energy production.
“These bipartisan bills deliver on a range of kitchen-table issues and are proof of what’s possible when we work across the aisle to put Michiganders first,” Whitmer said. “Together, we are increasing the number of corrections officers, immediately establishing stronger standards for mental health transport for involuntary hospitalizations, increasing the number of polling places available to voters, and conducting a study to determine the feasibility of nuclear energy in Michigan. Let’s keep getting it done and move Michigan forward.”
Bills signed into law which impact public safety and municipal employees include:
- HB 5765: Allows retired corrections officers to work as needed under certain circumstances without losing retirement allowance.
- HB 4414: Relieves the burden on counties and sheriffs by immediately allowing them to contract with a private entity to transport a person taken into protective custody by an officer to get a mental health screening or treatment.
- SB 1041: Updates the administrative procedures act to ensure it does not conflict with the municipal employees retirement act.
- SB 1042: Provides retirees the option for a hearing to address a grievance in Municipal Employees Retirement System.
Please click here for more details on recent legislation signed into law.
Career MAP member, longtime Firefighter shares Union background as Labor Relations Specialist
By Jennifer Gomori, MAP Editor
After spending nearly his entire law enforcement career as a MAP member and several years as a Local Union representative, Gregg Allen is sharing his experience as a MAP Labor Relations Specialist.
Allen was hired Oct. 3, 2022, after retiring as a Waterford Township Police Detective in July 2022. He served the department 21 years, spending the last two years as Local Union President.
“I was the Local Union Trustee for several years before becoming the Secretary for two years and then President for the last two years,” Allen said. “Initially, I wanted to get more involved with the Union so I began working as a Trustee because … there weren’t any (board) positions available. When the Secretary retired, I put in for it and got more involved with negotiations, grievances and discipline. The President later retired, but the Vice President didn’t want the position and I had more experience than him, so I ran for President.”
Allen is in his 12th year protecting his community as a Paid-on-Call (POC) Firefighter with North Oakland County Fire Authority, in Holly and Rose Township. A former POC Sergeant, he’s represented North Oakland County Firefighters Association members as an Executive Board Sergeant At Arms and Secretary for one term each. Through the Association he’s helped with many local fundraisers for area children.
“I was a Sergeant for three years, but because I was Paid-on-Call when they hired full-time staff and couldn’t devote the amount of time needed to fulfill the responsibilities, the position was offered to a full-time member,” he said.
The issues he sees as the most pressing to Union members are retirement benefits and health care.
“A lot of our departments are going to Health Savings Accounts and that’s drastically affecting Employees and their families and forcing them to work longer,” he said. “That takes many Employees into their 60s, which shortens their lifespan by causing them more health issues (as they continue to work).”
SERESA moves to MAP for additional services, no-nonsense approach to representation
By Jennifer Gomori, MAP Editor
It’s hard enough in today’s job market to attract and keep Dispatchers in the fast-paced stressful profession, so when South East Regional Emergency Services Authority (SERESA) Dispatchers turn to their Union for help the last thing they need is more stress.
SERESA, a municipal consolidated dispatch center in Macomb County, services the cities of Eastpointe, Fraser, Roseville and St Clair Shores. Since SERESA’s formation in 2010, they have been represented by Police Officers Association of Michigan (POAM).
That representation ended in May 2022 after being introduced to Michigan Association of Police (MAP) by their supervisors, who joined MAP a year prior. SERESA Dispatchers liked what MAP had to offer and their no-nonsense approach to representation.
“Honestly our supervisors were never in a union before. They just joined MAP and MAP had asked if we wanted to talk to them about what they had to offer,” said Melanie Pasco, SERESA Dispatchers Local Union President. “It was just a matter of our (Local) Union saying, ‘Yeah, let’s check them out,’ and they voted to switch over.”
“For one MAP is little less expensive,” Pasco said of Union dues. “MAP came in and explained what they do and talked about some of the services and classes and programs we can attend. They were very down to earth, a ‘We’ll be here if you need us’ type of situation.”
Read more: SERESA moves to MAP for additional services, no-nonsense approach to representation
2022 Carl Parsell Scholars honored for academic excellence, service
By Jennifer Gomori, MAP Editor
Nicholas Hawrylko of Washington Township and Chloe Mietelka of Jackson were honored with $2,500 Carl Parsell Scholarships. The two leaders were recognized for their academic excellence and commitment to their communities and schools.
Mietelka received her award during the 32nd Annual Carl Parsell Memorial Golf Outing on June 9, 2022 at Links of Novi. Hawrylko also received his scholarship recognition in June, but was unable to attend the awards ceremony, which was the same day as his high school graduation.
The Carl Parsell Scholarship Fund was established in 1991 to continue the legacy of Parsell, a law enforcement union movement pioneer, by improving the lives and futures of others, through education. Scholarships are awarded annually to Michigan family members of Michigan Association of Police (MAP), Michigan Association of Public Employees (MAPE) and Michigan Association of Fire Fighters (MAFF) union members.
Since the fund's establishment, $138,000 in scholarships have been awarded. Funds for the scholarships are derived from the Annual Carl Parsell Memorial Scholarship Golf Outing.
Carl Parsell Scholar earns high honors for academics, exemplifies leadership, community service
By Jennifer Gomori, MAP Editor
Chloe Mietelka understands the importance of balancing academics, leadership activities and community involvement. For these reasons, the dual-enrolled college and high school student was selected as a 2022 Carl Parsell Scholarship recipient.
“It means a lot because I appreciate they recognized me out of the other people who sent in their applications,” Mietelka said of the $2,500 scholarship. “I’m thankful for having the scholarship to use toward college. It will help me have less debt.”
Mietelka, a Jackson resident, is the daughter of MAPE City of Jackson Maintenance Worker III Steven M. Mietelka and Mary K. Mietelka.
The Grass Lake High School Honors student graduated with a 4.2 GPA and plans to attend Michigan State University (MSU) this fall to study Advertisement Management.
Receiving high honors and perfect attendance throughout high school, Mietelka is Salutatorian of her graduating class. She’s served as Grass Lake High School Student Council Secretary for four years and as a member of National Honor Society.
“I’ve been on student council since freshman year and in National Honor Society since sophomore year,” she wrote in her scholarship application. “In both groups, we value the idea of serving our community and leadership within the school. Ways in which I have honored these values include collaborating with administrators to improve the school atmosphere and arranging community service projects, such as Octoberfest, with the elementary schoolers and a variety of drives.”
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