FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office
Contact: Dawn Fraylick, Communications Director
Office: +1 (586) 469-5737
Cell: +1 (586) 842-4421
Email: Dawn.Fraylick@macombgov.org
September 9, 2024
Macomb County Prosecutor and County Clerk Host Election Security Training for Law Enforcement and Election Officials, Enhancing November Election Safety
Mount Clemens, MI – In a proactive, coordinated effort to continually safeguard the election process, Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido and Macomb County Clerk Anthony G. Forlini, in partnership with the Committee for Safe and Secure Elections, joined forces to hold a training session today for law enforcement, municipal clerks and election staff from every community in Macomb County. Lucido and Forlini said securing elections is a partnership.
The session was inspired by training the State of Georgia provides to every law enforcement agency and is similar to training the Secretary of State promoted in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Traverse City and Marquette. According to Governing Magazine, there are penal provisions in every state’s election codes that most police officers don’t know exist. Lucido and Forlini wanted to secure a local partnership for Macomb County specifically to join forces with Macomb’s law enforcement and municipal election officials to be better connected, informed and prepared. They both would like to see this occur in Macomb at least every 4 years.
Today’s training was the first time the Macomb County Prosecutor’s office and the County Clerk coordinated training specifically about election laws, including preventing, recognizing and prosecuting potential election day crimes. Table top exercises were conducted, where local elections officials and local law enforcement talked through various real world scenarios with city and township clerks and focused on how to address and resolve potential election day issues.
“Our goal is to ensure that everyone can exercise their right to vote in a safe and secure environment, free from intimidation or harassment. Every election administrator and poll worker should be able to do their job without fear. The goal of this training is to help ensure the highest level of safety and service is provided to those at the polls as we work together to safeguard our most sacred duty as Americans,” said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido.
“Election integrity is a defining cornerstone of our election system and we are committed to making sure our election laws are respected and followed. I believe in the integrity of our election process. Helping elections officials and law enforcement to improve communication and be better prepared is another level of protection in making sure our elections are defended and protected,” said Macomb County Clerk / Register of Deeds Anthony G. Forlini.
The trainers included:
Chris Harvey, Deputy Executive Director at Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Council. Harvey has worked in homicide in metro-Atlanta, was Georgia’s State Election Director, and is a member of the Committee for Safe and Secure Elections (CSSE).
Tina Barton, Vice Chair of the CSSE, a Senior Election Expert, who administered elections in Bloomfield Township and Rochester Hills. Barton has over 32 years of government experience, serving at the federal, county, and local levels. The last 17 years of her career have been focused on election administration.
Captain Harold Love, Michigan State Police (Ret.), Owner and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Harold J. Love & Associates. Harold Love served 25 years with the Michigan State Police (MSP), before retiring as a captain in 2013. During his tenure as captain, he served as commander of the 2nd District in Southeast Michigan.
Justin Smith, a former Sheriff of Larimer County, Colorado, with 35 years of law enforcement experience is a graduate of the FBI National Academy. Justin is the past president of the County Sheriffs of Colorado and a former member of the executive board of the National Sheriffs Association, where he served as the co-chair of the Homeland Security Committee.
"Law enforcement should not be at the center of the voting process, but given the nature of the political environment, law enforcement can and should be a part of the security plan necessary to keep voting accessible and free from interference and intimidation. Training and preparation are key in setting security goals. As in most law enforcement situations, the principle of 'least effective force [presence] necessary' is a good way to look at law enforcement and elections," said Chris Harvey.
Michigan Deputy Secretary of State Aghogho Edevbie, and Jonathan Brater, State Director of the Bureau of Elections attended and participated in discussions.
Also present were representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and a representative from U.S. Homeland Security CISA, an organization that collaborates with federal departments and agencies, state and local government, and election officials.
Police agencies received the Michigan 2024 Law Enforcement Quick Reference Guide, containing a list of related elections laws and citations, and attendees and were given a sample memorandum of understanding for local law enforcement and elections officials to use prior to the election to help coordinate efforts.
“Every voter should be able to vote without fear. I applaud Prosecutor Lucido for his concern and courage in addressing this issue,” said Tina Barton.
Prosecutor Lucido stressed that his office will not tolerate any form of election crimes or voter intimidation, regardless of political affiliation.
“If anyone commits a crime, regardless of party affiliation, of ethnic intimidation, or any other violation to disrupt the election, they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent. I also will not hesitate to refer a case to our Michigan Attorney General or the United States Attorney’s Office, and will fully cooperate with both regarding polling place safety,” said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido.
“Macomb County will be in the national spotlight this November. This is our opportunity to show that we passionately support candidates, we sort out our differences at the ballot box safely and securely, we respect the rule of law, and we are all Americans,” said Lucido.
###