© 2025 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

East Lansing police chief resigns amid internal investigation

East Lansing Police Chief Kim Johnson speaks during a press conference on Thursday, May 5, 2022, in which the department released video of a police shooting that happened on April 25, 2022.
Sarah Lehr
/
WKAR News
East Lansing Police Chief Kim Johnson speaks during a press conference on Thursday, May 5, 2022, in which the department released video of a police shooting that happened on April 25, 2022.

East Lansing announced Tuesday that Police Chief Kim Johnson submitted his resignation on May 20.

Johnson had been on paid administrative leave since April pending the results of an internal investigation.

City officials did not explain the week-long delay in noting Johnson’s departure.

Speaking with WKAR, East Lansing City Manager Robert Belleman did not offer details as to what prompted the probe and did not provide any information regarding its findings.

“Kim Johnson decided to resign,” said Belleman. “I'm not able to get into the details of the internal investigation because it is an attorney-client privilege document.”

Johnson, a 30-year veteran of the East Lansing Police Department, took over as police chief in 2020.

Deputy Chief Chad Pride will assume an interim role as police chief while the city searches for a permanent replacement.

East Lansing Interim Police Chief Chad Pride
Screenshot
/
East Lansing Police Department Video
East Lansing Deputy Chief Chad Pride

As WKAR's Bilingual Latino Stories Reporter, Michelle reports in both English and Spanish on stories affecting Michigan's Latino community.
Support Local Journalism in Mid-Michigan

Help WKAR reach 200 donations by June 20 to fund more of the fact-based reporting mid-Michigan relies on. When we hit the goal, MSU Federal Credit Union will unlock a $10,000 gift in support of your public media station.

Be one of the 200. Give now.