Michigan Senate Bill SB0335

Michigan 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/29/25
• Refer: 5/29/25

Caption

Law enforcement: training; duty to intervene policy; require law enforcement agencies to adopt. Creates new act. TIE BAR WITH: SB 341'25

Summary

Senate Bill 335 would require every law enforcement agency in Michigan to adopt a written “duty to intervene” policy within 12 months after the act takes effect. The policy must require officers to take action to stop or prevent another officer’s use of objectively unreasonable force and to report what they observed to an immediate supervisor. Agencies would also have to give each officer a copy of the policy and make clear that violating it can lead to discipline. The bill allows agencies to satisfy the requirement by adopting a model policy created by the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards. It also preserves local flexibility by allowing agencies to adopt policies that go beyond the minimum requirements. The bill is tied to Senate Bill 341, meaning it would not take effect unless that separate bill is also enacted into law.

Impact

SB 335 would add a new statewide policy requirement for law enforcement agencies and effectively standardize minimum expectations for officer intervention when excessive force is used or about to be used by another officer. It would affect police departments and other law enforcement agencies by requiring written policies, officer notification, and disciplinary consequences for noncompliance. The bill does not itself create a criminal penalty, but it would influence internal agency discipline and training practices under the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards framework.

Sentiment

The bill appears to reflect a reform-oriented approach to policing and accountability, with its core purpose being to prevent or stop objectively unreasonable force and ensure reporting up the chain of command. Because there are no committee transcripts or recorded votes provided, there is no direct evidence of debate or opposition in the supplied materials. The bill text itself suggests a generally supportive posture toward stronger oversight and clearer intervention duties for officers.

Contention

The main policy issue raised by the bill is how broadly the duty to intervene will be applied in practice, especially the standard of “objectively unreasonable force” and how agencies will enforce compliance through discipline. Another potential point of contention is the bill’s tie-bar to SB 341, which makes SB 335 contingent on enactment of another measure and could affect whether the policy becomes law. Agencies may also differ on whether to adopt the commission’s model policy or create stricter local rules, but the text expressly allows more protective policies.