East Lansing Police Chief Jen Brown speaks with residents at a meet-and-greet event Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at the Hannah Community Center. (Brian Wells for ELi)

Jen Brown Selected as East Lansing’s New Police Chief

After a months-long search and selection process, Jennifer Brown has been selected to serve as the next East Lansing Police Chief. 

Brown joined ELPD in December 2023 and has been serving as the department’s interim chief since December 2024. Prior to joining ELPD, Brown served with the Michigan State University Police Department for 15 years, and then spent 10 years in private industry. 

Brown was selected from a pool of four finalists who were put through a rigorous audition process that included interviews with four different panels, and a community engagement event where members of the public interacted directly with candidates. 

“I am honored to accept the position of Chief of Police for the City of East Lansing,” Brown is quoted as saying in a press release from the city. “Serving my community is a privilege, and I am committed to fostering strong relationships between law enforcement and the people we serve. I look forward to working alongside our dedicated officers, city leaders and residents to ensure safety, inclusivity and excellence in policing.”

Brown is a graduate of Lansing Everett High School. According to the press release, she graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice and psychology and a master’s degree in criminal justice.

The press release states that Brown’s top priorities with ELPD to this point have been “on streamlining patrol operations, emergency management, employee health and wellness and strengthening department relationships with the East Lansing community and Michigan State University.” 

As chief, one of Brown’s biggest challenges will be staffing. 

Brown recently presented on the police department’s budget, sharing that staffing shortages continue to be an issue, but ELPD is hopeful to be fully staffed by this time next year. The department has not been fully staffed in six fiscal years. 

A chart showing ELPD staffing levels. (From the City of East Lansing)

When Brown presented ELPD’s budget on April 15, she said the department has 44 sworn officers and conditional officers to fill seven vacancies. It can take months for these offers to bring full-time officers, as many candidates need to finish at the police academy and then undergo training at ELPD. 

Learn more about Brown from this previous reporting from ELi