The Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police is a dynamic association – forever changing through the influence and actions of individual members who bring their expertise and an impetus for improvement in the criminal justice system. We believe that our concerted efforts will improve the police profession and the quality of life for the citizens of the great state of Michigan.

Founded in 1924, the MACP is governed by an 18 member Board of Directors, including a President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, and Past President along with 14 district representatives representing all geographical areas of our state. Each association official holds office for one year but may be re-elected. The association is guided by its Constitution, and Article I, Sec. 2 provides for the purposes of the MACP:

"The purposes of the Association shall be 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."

The Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police is incorporated as a 501.C (6) non-profit corporation. In addition to the MACP, a companion corporation, the Michigan Law Enforcement Educational Fund, Inc. is utilized by MACP committees to fund their activities. The M.L.E.E.F, Inc. is a 501.C (3) corporation which can accept tax deductible donations from individuals and corporations.

The MACP enjoys an extremely active committee structure. Committees address specific law enforcement issues, provide awards, sponsor seminars, offer scholarships, create publications, formulate state-wide conferences and a whole gamut of activities in between. The MACP also appoints members as liaison to other state and federal organizations and to State of Michigan commissions.

Membership in the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police is largely open ended. Membership categories are available from Active-Voting (i.e. Chiefs of Police) to Associate (civilians interested in law enforcement). However, each membership application must be sponsored by a current MACP member and be approved by the Board of Directors. Members enjoy a wide array of benefits including:

§         A subscription to the Michigan Police Chiefs Magazine

§         A copy of the  MACP Law Enforcement Directory & Buyers Guide (printed every two years)

§         Discounted rates to our two conferences, the Mid-Winter Training Conference held in February each year and the Annual Summer Conference held in June in Northern Michigan.

§         MACP-L: Access to the MACP listserv which is a closed listserv open only to Active-Voting and Active members of MACP. This listserv provides a wealth of information which allows members to ask questions of other departments regarding policies, ordinances, training sources, and other areas of law enforcement interest. In addition, information about time sensitive information regarding law enforcement, legislation and grants is provided to MACP-L members.

§         CHIEF-L: The CHIEF-L was designed to supplement the MACP-L and enhance Active Voting membership.  The Chief-Listserv is a confidential listserv with access granted only to MACP Active Voting members. 

Membership is considered to be as follows in Article II of the MACP Constitution.

SECTION 1. Classes of Membership: The membership of the Association shall be classified and defined as follows: Active-Voting, Active, Associate, Life, Sustaining and Supporting Member.

A.         Active-Voting Members: Any non-elected full time salaried chief criminal law enforcement officer of any duly constituted enforcement agency; the heads of other governmental security agencies; the heads of quasi-governmental police or security agencies who are certified by the Michigan Law Enforcement Officers Training Council, in the State of Michigan is eligible for Active-Voting membership. Provided that members who held Active membership in this Association as of January 30, 1970, but who may not qualify under this Article, may continue to renew such current membership as Active-Voting members until they forfeit same under Sections 4, 5, or 6 of this Article.

B.         Active Members: Any person, not eligible for Active-Voting membership, but qualified by training and experience in police or other law enforcement activity, or by other professional attainments in police science or administration, or criminal justice education, shall be eligible for Active membership, subject to the following provisions:

1.         Any member of any duly constituted law enforcement agency shall require the recommendations of the member chief of the agency.

2.         Upon retirement or resignation from active police service, Active-Voting members shall be transferred to the Active membership class.

3.         Active members shall have all the privileges of Acting-Voting members, except that of holding office or amending the Constitution or By-Laws.

4.         The provisions of section 1b(2) shall not apply to members who held Active membership in this Association as of January 30, 1970, on their retirement from active police service.

C.         Associate Members: Any reputable person, not eligible for Active-Voting or Active membership, but qualified by interest, business liaison or association with law enforcement, shall be eligible for Associate membership in this Association. Associate members shall have all the privileges of Active membership. Members holding Associate membership in the Association, as of the date of the adoption of this amendment, shall be referred to and be determined by the Board of Directors.

D.         Sustaining Members: Persons who are donors of funds to the Association for the purpose of advancing or improving the police profession may be invited by the Board of Directors to become Sustaining members of this Association, under such rules as the Board of Directors may establish. If the invitation is accepted, such membership shall include all privileges, except holding office and voting.

The Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police encourages all individuals in law enforcement to become a member.  If you have any questions concerning the MACP or about membership please feel free contact either Thomas Hendrickson, Executive Director or Jamie Foster, Executive Assistant at 517.349-9420.