Following a nearly eight month debate in the community over the City's "hindering and opposing" statue and the disproportionate arrest of African-Americans under the charge, the Grand Rapids City Commission unanimously passed a new ordinance that clarifies when the Grand Rapids Police Department (GRPD) can use the charge. The new ordinance was praised by Kent County Commissioner Paul Mayhue as "a demonstration of community unity" and cited by City Commissioner as an example of what can be accomplished when the community and the city government work together. Moreover, Tormala cited the immense progress that had been made when a resolution dealing with hindering and opposing was no longer the most controversial item on the Commission's agenda, a reference to earlier City Commission meetings on the topic.

In addition to the passage of the new ordinance, the City Commission announced that it will be monitoring the ordinance's implementation with annual reviews of its use by the Public Safety Commission. The City will also be creating educational materials to inform both the police and the public of changes in the law.