Michigan § 42.12 - Township police force; establishment; township marshal, appointment; rules; policemen, powers and duties.
Full text of Michigan Michigan Compiled Laws § 42.12 — Township police force; establishment; township marshal, appointment; rules; policemen, powers and duties., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 42.12. Township police force; establishment; township marshal, appointment; rules; policemen, powers and duties.
The township board in each charter township may provide for and establish a police force and authorize the supervisor, or the township superintendent if one has been appointed, to appoint, subject to the approval of the said board, a township marshal and such other policemen and watchmen as may be required to protect property and preserve the public welfare and safety in that portion of the township not included within the corporate limits of any village or villages located wholly or in part within the township. No police officer of any such village shall be ineligible for appointment as a member of the township police force, except that no village police officer shall serve as township marshal. The township board shall make all necessary rules for the government of the township police force and its members and shall prescribe the powers and duties of policemen and watchmen, and may invest them with such authority as may be necessary for the preservation of quiet and order and the protection of persons and property within that part of the township not located within the corporate limits of any village.
Source: official Michigan text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Michigan § 42.12
What does Michigan Compiled Laws § 42.12 cover?
Section 42.12 ("Township police force; establishment; township marshal, appointment; rules; policemen, powers and duties.") is part of the Michigan Compiled Laws, the codified statutory law of Michigan. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Michigan § 42.12?
A common citation format is "Michigan Compiled Laws § 42.12" (Michigan). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Michigan law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Michigan official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Michigan attorney.
How does Michigan § 42.12 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Michigan can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Michigan.