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East Lansing police report hiring progress, camera trailer deployment; fire chief details training and EMS increases
Summary
Police Chief Jennifer Brown told council the department is budgeted for 55 officers and currently has 46 with recruits in training; a camera trailer has been deployed to gather traffic trends. Fire leadership reported higher EMS and mutual-aid calls and new medical equipment training.
Police and fire department leaders briefed the East Lansing City Council on operations, staffing and equipment needs during the April 14 discussion-only meeting.
Police: Chief Jennifer Brown said the department is budgeted for 55 sworn officers and currently has 46 sworn officers on the roster, with one officer in the police academy, two lateral hires sworn in the previous week, and recruits scheduled to begin training in May and August. The department is actively hiring part-time jail staff, neighborhood resource specialists and social workers; one social-worker position is being recruited.
Chief Brown highlighted a new camera trailer deployed on Michigan Avenue to identify traffic trends (particularly loud exhaust, drag-racing behavior and stop-sign violations). The trailer, she said, has no microphone and is not tied to automated ticketing under Michigan law; it will be used to direct enforcement and education. The trailer can capture footage for later review; live viewing will be available to cadets and staff.
Council members pressed the chief on camera functions, whether the trailer detects speed or gunshots, and whether it would be used to issue citations. Chief Brown said the trailer cannot mail tickets or directly issue citations; Michigan law does not permit automated ticketing from such devices. The department also reported turnover among part-time PACE officers and discussed converting several part-time positions into two full-time PACE roles to stabilize staffing.
Fire and EMS: Interim Fire Chief Newman summarized regional rope-rescue training held at an MSU facility, new cardiac-monitor and stair-chair equipment arriving from Stryker, and increases in EMS and fire-related calls (368 EMS calls in March, an increase from February). The department expects a fifth ambulance to arrive next month and reported mutual-aid responses to neighboring jurisdictions for structure fires. Chief Newman recommended a multi-year plan for replacing self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and proposed creating a dedicated savings account to smooth a roughly $500,000 replacement cost over seven years.
Council questions focused on staffing timelines, training cadence, and whether the camera trailer and other technology would be used for enforcement. Chiefs emphasized planning for large events (St. Patrick's Day and NCAA tournament) and continued community engagement initiatives, including volunteer panels for recruit interviews.
What happens next: Chief Brown and fire leadership will return with follow-up items requested by council, including staffing timelines and a budget request package for proposed conversions of part-time to full-time PACE positions.
Speakers (first reference): Police Chief Jennifer Brown; Interim Chief Newman; Mayor Pro Tem Tim Griggsby.
