GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Outgoing Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom said a lack of consistent support from city leaders and what he described as the politicization of policing contributed to challenges during his tenure, comments that came as he announced he is leaving the department.
Winstrom said policing is more difficult in cities that are not broadly supportive of law enforcement, contrasting Grand Rapids with cities he described as “reflexively pro police.” He said resistance from elected officials and community leaders made it harder to implement what he called basic policing tools and initiatives.
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