By Jennifer Gomori, MAP Editor
MAP Executive Board President Mike Hawkins was appointed as a Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) Commissioner in March 2022 by Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
The Trenton Police Lieutenant represents Michigan Association of Police (MAP) on MCOLES for a term commencing March 18, 2022 and expiring Dec. 31, 2025. He succeeds recently retired MAP Executive Board Vice President Michael Kunath, whose term expired Dec. 31, 2021.
“I was honored to be nominated by MAP for the position to replace Mike Kunath, who retired from Sterling Heights Police Department,” Hawkins said.
MAP Executive Director Fred Timpner nominated Hawkins for the appointment. As an MCOLES Commissioner, Hawkins will make decisions about key issues related to law enforcement requirements and standards, licensing issues such as keeping and revoking licenses, continued training and continued education. MCOLES appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
“We are fortunate to have Mike represent the Michigan Association of Police on MCOLES,” Timpner said. “His presence ensures that our members and their needs will be heard.”
Hawkins has many years of experience serving fellow Union members and the community. MAP Executive Board President since Dec. 2018, Hawkins was originally voted onto MAP’s Executive Board in 2011 as Treasurer and later elected Vice President.
“I’ve been on the MAP Executive Board for over 10 years in one capacity or another,” he said.
He also served Trenton’s Local Police Union as President for 10 years and was a Trenton Public Schools Board of Education member: “I was elected to our local school board for 13 years up until 2021 and served as president there for a few years,” Hawkins said.
He is currently serving as the Lieutenant’s Local Union Representative. “I participated in negotiations for the last contract and I’ve been involved with the Local Union Board during my last 4-1/2 years as a Lieutenant,” Hawkins said.
The 45-year-old began his law enforcement career as a Gibraltar Police Officer in 2000. He joined Trenton PD in 2001, becoming a K9 Officer. Ascending the ranks as a Corporal, Sergeant and Lieutenant, Hawkins oversaw the Dispatch and Field Training Officers programs. In May 2022, he will transition into the Operations Lieutenant position, overseeing the Detective Bureau and Traffic Bureau.
One issue Hawkins wants to address as an MCOLES Commissioner is establishing and maintaining trust and legitimacy between police departments and the community. “Everybody has their own local specific issues, but MCOLES is on a bigger scale trying to account for all police officers,” he said.
Another top concern of his is the lack of applicants for law enforcement positions.
“We’re in a tough time where there are not enough people to do the job and you don’t want to lower the standards for police officers. In fact, this is the time to increase the standards,” Hawkins said. “We have to find a way of thinking outside the box to get people involved in law enforcement and apply for these jobs and hopefully MCOLES can help facilitate in some of those situations. Everybody is hurting for funds and we’ll see how that’s addressed.”
MAP members with concerns they would like to see addressed by MCOLES should contact Hawkins by email at
