PHOTO: PROF. LEWIS LANGHAM, WMU COOLEY LAW SCHOOL
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Professor Lewis Langham with Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School is a former Michigan State Police detective lieutenant, with a powerful perspective on nationwide calls for police reform, arguing change must start with how officers are hired, trained and held accountable.
Professor Langham spent 25 years with MSP before pursuing a legal profession. He pointed out Michigan is already ahead of some other states when it comes to standardized training for law enforcement, but agrees more can be done in the state.
As Langham explained, “Police officers need more training and sensitivity courses and racial diversity-type courses in order to be able to treat all people fairly. That’s what they’re (protesters are) calling for right now. The other part is, and I know there’s a handful of states around the country that don’t even have standards like we have MCOLES, Michigan Coalition of Law Enforcement Standards. I think what they’re asking for as far as reform, they want transparency in what police are doing. What they’re doing, why they’re doing it and are they allowed to do what it is they’re doing? I think it’s a combination of the citizens and the police departments and the police officers understanding, OK, this is our role, this is what we’re allowed to do legally. And the problem comes in is what happens when they overstep their bounds and use excessive force in situations?”
The Cooley Law prof said he thinks more can be done to vet people who show interest in law enforcement. It would be a way to identify the “bad apples” before they have a chance to commit egregious actions.
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