Grand Rapids — Ch. 176 Human Rights § 9.962
Biased Crime Reporting
Operative Text
(1) No person shall knowingly or recklessly report to a City of Grand Rapids police officer, City of Grand Rapids dispatcher, or other City of Grand Rapids personnel that an individual who is an actual or perceived member of a protected class as identified in Section 9.955 of this Chapter has committed, or may or will commit, a crime, if such report is based in whole or in part on the individual's membership in a protected class and not on a reasonable suspicion of criminal activity in consideration of all available facts and the totality of the circumstances (2) This Section is enacted for the purpose of ensuring the public health, safety, and welfare of persons within the city. Any person in violation of this Section may also be subject to penalty under Grand Rapids City Code 9.135(6) False Information or Michigan Penal Code 750.411(a) False Report of a Crime.
Grand Rapids Ch. 176 § 9.962 prohibits anyone from knowingly or recklessly making a report to Grand Rapids police, dispatchers, or other city personnel that a person has committed, is committing, or will commit a crime when that report is based—even partly—on the reported individual's membership in a protected class rather than on a reasonable suspicion grounded in the full facts and circumstances. The provision is framed as a public health, safety, and welfare measure. Violations can trigger additional penalties under Grand Rapids City Code § 9.135(6) for false information or Michigan Penal Code § 750.411(a) for filing a false crime report.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in Grand Rapids should be aware that § 9.962 applies to any person making reports to city personnel, which can include landlords who contact police about tenants or visitors. Compliant operators base any report of suspected criminal activity on specific, articulable facts and the totality of observable circumstances—not on a tenant's or visitor's race, religion, national origin, or other protected characteristic identified in § 9.955. Maintaining consistent, documented, fact-based criteria for when and why police contact is initiated helps demonstrate that reports are grounded in reasonable suspicion rather than protected-class membership.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Grand Rapids Ch. 176 § 9.962 gives individuals who belong to a protected class under § 9.955 a basis to challenge reports made to city police or personnel that appear to be motivated—even in part—by their protected status rather than by genuine, fact-based suspicion of criminal activity. Tenants who believe a biased crime report was filed against them may consider contacting the Grand Rapids Human Rights Commission or a local tenant-rights organization to understand available complaint processes. Because violations of § 9.962 can also implicate Michigan Penal Code § 750.411(a), consulting with a legal aid organization familiar with both civil rights and criminal law may help clarify what remedies or defenses could apply.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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