LANSING – On Thursday, Feb. 7, State Representative Richard LeBlanc (D-Westland) was honored as the 2007 Michigan Legislator of the Year by the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police (MACP) during its 2008 Mid-Winter Training Conference held in Grand Rapids.
"This is a tremendous honor for me and I am privileged to be recognized by the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police," said LeBlanc, Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State Police and Military & Veterans Affairs. "Enhanced public safety for all of Michigan's residents, and providing for our military and veterans are top priorities of my committee. This year I have introduced - and the House has passed - multiple pieces of legislation aimed at affording our police officers and public safety officials the tools they need to make their jobs easier while keeping our communities safer. I have also worked diligently to ensure that our military families and the living conditions of our veterans, those that have sacrificed so much for us, are second to none in their home state of Michigan."
Founded in 1924, the MACP is governed by an 18 member Board of Directors, along with 14 district representatives from different geographical areas across Michigan.
The purpose of the MACP is to advance the science and art of police administration and crime prevention; to develop and disseminate approved administrative and technical practices and promote their use in police work; to foster police cooperation, unity of action, and the exchange of information and experience among police officers of this state; to bring about the recruitment and training in the police profession of qualified persons; to seek legislation of benefit to the citizens of the state or law enforcement in general; and, to encourage adherence of all police officers to high professional standards of conduct.
LeBlanc introduced several pieces of legislation during 2007, including the indefinite extension of the state tax check-off option that protects financial assistance to Michigan's military families, creating and early firearms deer season for disabled veterans, preserving the resources that are necessary for local 911 response centers, and offering public safety grants to local public safety departments.