Michigan Public Policy Survey Questions and Data Tables

Q24e.   The Michigan Legislature recently enacted an "Extreme Risk Protection Order Act" — sometimes referred to as a “red flag” law. This law provides for the issuance of Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs), which temporarily prohibit individuals judged to be at high risk of harming themselves or others from purchasing or possessing firearms. The law allows several different categories of people, including family members, mental health professionals, and law enforcement officers, to file an ERPO petition.

Q25a.   Sometimes law enforcement officers stop someone for a minor traffic violation (for example, tinted windows, loud muffler) when they believe a more serious crime is being or has been committed (for example, illegal drugs, illegal weapons). Overall, do you feel the use of traffic stops for minor violations increases or decreases public safety?

Q25b.   Sometimes law enforcement officers stop someone for a minor traffic violation (for example, tinted windows, loud muffler) when they believe a more serious crime is being or has been committed (for example, illegal drugs, illegal weapons). Overall, do you feel the use of traffic stops for minor violations increases or decreases officer safety? 

Q25c.   Sometimes law enforcement officers stop someone for a minor traffic violation (for example, tinted windows, loud muffler) when they believe a more serious crime is being or has been committed (for example, illegal drugs, illegal weapons). Overall, do you feel the use of traffic stops for minor violations increases or decreases community trust in police? 

Q25d.   Sometimes law enforcement officers stop someone for a minor traffic violation (for example, tinted windows, loud muffler) when they believe a more serious crime is being or has been committed (for example, illegal drugs, illegal weapons). Overall, do you feel the use of traffic stops for minor violations increases or decreases perceptions of racial profiling by police? 

Q30.    In some places, automated tools are used to make decisions about public safety risks that in the past were made by humans. For example, software tracking and keywords may be used to monitor social media for events where a crime might happen. In your opinion, are the decisions made by these tools (such as AI and machine learning) generally more or less accurate than those made by humans?

Q36.     Some people believe that law enforcement officers whose actions cause harm or violate individuals’ civil rights should be held legally accountable. Others think they should be protected due to the nature of their job. Although every case is unique, in general, do you agree or disagree that law enforcement officers should be held legally accountable if they are found to have engaged in misconduct? 

Q37a.    In general, in cases where there is evidence of misconduct by a sheriff’s deputy or police officer in your county, do you think your office should prosecute the offense?

Q37b.    In general, in cases where there is evidence of misconduct by a sheriff’s deputy or police officer in your county, do you think the Michigan Attorney General's Office should prosecute the offense?

Q37b.    In general, in cases where there is evidence of misconduct by a sheriff’s deputy or police officer in your county, do you think the Michigan Attorney General's Office should prosecute the offense?

Q37c.    In general, in cases where there is evidence of misconduct by a sheriff’s deputy or police officer in your county, do you think  the U.S. Attorney's Office should prosecute the offense?

Q38b.   In general, in cases where there is evidence of criminal misconduct by an APA in your county,  do you think the Michigan Attorney General's Office should prosecute the offense?

Q38c.   In general, in cases where there is evidence of criminal misconduct by an APA in your county,  do you think aspecial prosecutor should prosecute the offense?

Q39a.  Regardless of whether or not various systems are currently in place to address law enforcement misconduct, to what extent would you support or oppose a nationwide and/or statewide database identifying law enforcement officers with misconduct charges or job terminations, accessible only to law enforcement agencies? 

Q39b.  Regardless of whether or not various systems are currently in place to address law enforcement misconduct, to what extent would you support or oppose a nationwide and/or statewide misconduct database, accessible to the public?

Q39c.  Regardless of whether or not various systems are currently in place to address law enforcement misconduct, to what extent would you support or oppose a formal decertification process for officers in Michigan found to have engaged in felonies or other illegal acts? 

Q39d.  Regardless of whether or not various systems are currently in place to address law enforcement misconduct, to what extent would you support or oppose formal penalties for law enforcement agencies that fail to review a potential hire’s history of misconduct with previous department(s)?

Q3a. How much of a problem is recruiting qualified officers for your office/department?

Q3b. How much of a problem is retaining current officers for your office/department? 

Q3c. How much of a problem, if at all, are the following personnel issues for your office/department? 

c.  Poaching  (i.e., officers leaving for positions with other local agencies)

Q3d. How much of a problem, if at all, are the following personnel issues for your office/department?

d. Officer morale

Q3e. How much of a problem, if at all, are the following personnel issues for your office/department? 

e. Negative public interactions or perceptions

Q3f. How much of a problem, if at all, are the following personnel issues for your office/department?

f. Lack of professional development and/or ongoing training

Q3g. How much of a problem, if at all, are the following personnel issues for your office/department?

g. Too much required training

Q4a.  If additional resources were available, which of the following, if any, do you think would most help your office/department recruit additional personnel and/or retain current personnel? (check all that apply)

a. Revising hiring standards to produce a larger field of candidates