Resisting Reserve Officers Not a Crime in Michigan

Resisting or obstructing a reserve police officer in Michigan isn't a crime, according to a recent Michigan Court of Appeals ruling that at least one statewide law enforcement official says will have "huge ramifications for public safety," reports the Detroit Free Press .

The appellate court ruled 2-1 in a Livingston County case that reserve police officers are not police officers under the state's resisting and obstructing statute. The court said reserve officers are not specifically mentioned in the law and therefore are not covered by it.

Livingston Prosecutor William Vailliencourt said he disagrees with the opinion and plans to file an appeal with the Michigan Supreme Court.

"We hope (the ruling) gets appealed. If it doesn't, we'll look to alter the legislation as soon as possible," said Robert Stevenson, executive director of the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police. "This will be an issue across the state."