BOPC establishes a Youth Advisory Panel, "to amplify their voices...with supervisory control and oversight of DPD."
Hey #Detroit! Tonight at 06:30 PM, I’ll live-tweet the Board of Police Commissioners Community Meeting for #DETdocumenters. 🧵
Partners: @DetDocumenters, @media_outlier, @BridgeDet313, @chalkbeatDET, @CitizenDetroit, @Detour_Detroit, @freep, @metrotimes, @PlanetDetroit, @wdet.
02:22 PM May 12, 2022 CDT
Want to watch or participate? Join online, by phone, or at @WCCCDistrict’s Eastern Campus (5901 Conner Street): https://detroitmi.gov/events/board-police-commissioners-meeting-may-12-2022
📎 Today’s agenda — we’ll see presentations on human resources and the 11th Precinct, a report on protests in 2020, and the usual business: https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/events/2022-05/Agenda%20May%2012%2C%202022.pdf https://t.co/3OJrPfivnO
🏃 Need to catch up on the BOPC? See @PauldubbWarner’s tweets from last week’s meeting: https://twitter.com/PauldubbWarner/status/1522290384369508352
See our past BOPC reporting: https://detroit.documenters.org/meetings/?agency=17&alt=true
Notes, recordings, and archived materials for this meeting: https://detroit.documenters.org/assignments/board-of-police-commissioners-evening-community-meeting-3834/…
Last week, some police commissioners were stunned by an investigative story detailing how DPD struggles to hold officers accountable for criminal misconduct, due to an “internal oversight system stacked in their favor.”…
DPD chief James White rebutted the claims. BOPC chief investigator Lawrence Akbar said he already told the board about what was reported in the story, written by @violetikon for @DeadlineDetroit: https://deadlinedetroit.com/articles/30418/deeply_broken_how_detroit_lets_bad_cops_off_the_hook…
Commissioner Linda Bernard told DPD chief James White, “We sit here every week and we play patty cake. It’s absolutely disgraceful that nobody from your department or ours has consolidated this data [on police misconduct] the way one lady reporter did.” https://twitter.com/civicDetroitDan/status/1524263706711969797
Meanwhile, city council approved a $1.3 million contract for full-body scanners, which DPD will use at large gatherings starting this summer. All but two councilmembers approved and DPD wants even more scanners. @PolarBarrett for @BridgeDet313: https://www.bridgedetroit.com/crowd-sized-metal-detectors-coming-to-detroit/
❓The Board of Police Commissioners oversees @detroitpolice (DPD). They decide DPD’s budget, write policies, review citizen complaints, and discipline police officers.
The board meets weekly with monthly community meetings.
Learn about the board: https://detroitmi.gov/government/boards/board-police-commissioners
Your police commissioners and their title/district:
• Jim Holley, chair
• Bryan Ferguson, vice chair/District 1
• Linda Bernard, D2
• @ApostleCBanks, D3
• Willie Bell, D4
• @WillieBurton313, D5
• Lisa Carter, D6
• @RicardoDetroit, D7
…
Your police commissioners, continued:
• Annie Holt, at-large
• Jesus Hernandez, at-large
• @q_pressley, at-large
Don’t know your district? See this map: https://detroitmi.gov/webapp/interactive-district-map
Learn about your police commissioners: https://detroitmi.gov/government/boards/board-police-commissioners#block-views-block-council-members-block-1
Find something inaccurate? Email documenters@outliermedia.org with the subject “Correction Request”. I’ll add corrections at the end.
Need image descriptions? Reply and I’ll describe images for you.
Those are my pre-game notes. See you at 06:30 PM!
Looking through the docs for this meeting… Apparently there’s an upcoming DPD vehicle auction. My condolences if you had your four-wheeler impounded. https://t.co/hgHMom6Bg7
⌚️ At 06:25 PM, the meeting starts… I think. They’re playing a video recording of interim secretary Melanie White, reciting a statement about BOPC’s online meeting protocols. https://t.co/rL13DESf7x
Interim secretary White, in the recording, also explains how to file citizen complaints and sign up for the BOPC’s email newsletter. https://t.co/LLpiyp0mrV
Vice chair commissioner Ferguson calls the meeting to order. He’ll be sitting in for Chair Holley, who’s out. Ferguson recites a statement thanking citizens, acknkowledging National Police Week, and the death of five officers last year.
An ASL interpreter joins. https://t.co/KbHwib3WOI
Ferguson also congratulates former DPD assistant chief Todd Bettinson, and said it was “a shock to me” that Bettinson was appointed as the city’s deputy mayor.
Charleston Day gives the invocation prayer. https://t.co/HT5D7ZHrdP
👤 Roll call!
Present commissioners: Banks, Bell, Carter, Moore, Hernandez, Pressley
Commissioners Bernard, Burton, Holley, Holt submitted excused absence notifications.
Commissioners approve the agenda and last meeting’s agenda. It’s difficult to hear certain commissioners https://t.co/CL3FrBSysj
👥 Staff introductions.
BOPC: Don Handyside, Christopher Michaels, Teresa Blossom, Robert Brown, Giant Underwood, Tiffany Stewart, Katrina Pillow, Lawrence Akbar, Anley Cromwell, Lissa Ann Sloan, Rosalia Madrigal, Missy Akada, Stephanie Betty.…
DPD: Deputy chief sitting in for DPD chief. Courage Hope, Jovan Johnson, Charles Spruce Love Pricing, Kim Gabriel, Dougues.
Special guests: William Davis, Marie Overall
Officemembers of state rep Tyrone Carter: Marie Overall
A commissioner recites a statement thanking WCCCD for hosting the board meeting, acknowledging the educational partnership between WCCCD and DPD. Executive dean of Eastern Campus joins in-person to welcome the board to the campus. https://t.co/1qmHjbZjDM
Commissioner Ferguson continues reading from a statement, giving thanks to 11th Precinct and HR staff.
Commissioner Ferguson urges folks to use the forum in a “professional, respectful manner”. That’s the end of his statement.
Interim secretary White says commissioner Hernandez and Banks have arrived.
📜 Now to resolutions.
Commissioner Carter recites a resolution for DPD officer Ricardo Sanchez: https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/events/2022-05/RESOLUTION%20HONORING%20%20Ricardo%20Sanchez%20_May2022.pdf https://t.co/8Niz0uBH7c
Commissioner Moore recites a resolution for DPD corporal George Day: https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/events/2022-05/RESOLUTION%20HONORING%20Corporal%20George%20L.%20Day_May%202022.pdf https://t.co/mBvtflTCnD
Surprise resolution! BOPC is forming a Youth Advisory Panel, as a “formal structure for youth participation”. It will include seven teenagers and young adults (15-24 years old) from each district.… https://t.co/LjC6PxYh8t
…A commissioner asks if there’s a budget for it – commissioner Carter says they’re seeking external funding. She also says they’ve yet to set bylaws for this panel. Commissioners vote to approve the resolution.
📝 At 06:59 PM, the board proceeds to the DPD chief’s report. Again, DPD deputy chief Hewing is sitting in for DPD chief James White and gives the report. https://t.co/cvtEn4xfvU
Three DPD officers recovering from injuries at home. 34 DPD employees tested positive for COVID-19, in line with rising case numbers. Decrease in homicides, non-fatal shootings, and slight reduction in robberies. https://t.co/RTr6Y6XzuF
DPD deputy chief Hewing also highlights their drag racing detail. They’ve stopped 154 motorists, issued 121 tickets, and impounded 49 vehicles for drag racing.
DPD also seized 20 ATVs as part of an ongoing investigation. Hewing also talks about a double shooting in the 11th Precinct, resulting in one death. An investigation is ongoing.
DPD deputy chief Hewing also talks about the ten weapon detectors (which I mentioned before the meeting) and how events in Detroit can request them.
Hewing also talks about working with another law enforcement agency in the region on a missing persons case. That’s it for the chief’s report.
Commissioner Ferguson asks out of those DPD apprehended for drag racing, how many were Detroit residents. Hewing doesn’t know. Ferguson also asks if the weapons detectors would cost anything – Hewing says no. Event organizers can schedule a time to use them.
Another commissioner also asks about DPD’s drag racing course. Hewing says it is little used, and he thinks drag racers don’t prefer only having the one location.
A commissioner asks deputy chief Hewing if multiple people, say 15 people, can walk through the weapons detector at one time. Hewing clarifies that he didn’t say a specific number.
Summarizing the last slides:
There are over 1000 officers who live outside Detroit to over 500 who live in Detroit.
Over 100 officers have taken leave of absences.
22 employees left DPD in April.
A commissioner asks about a potential hire who got disqualified.
Another commissioner asks if the board would be notified about disqualified candidates. Candidates can appeal to the board.
Another another commissioner also speaks but their audio is too quiet for me to hear.
Interim secretary White says the board currently has some pending applicant appeals.
Commissioner Banks asks if candidates can get help with expunging criminal records. The presenter says expunged records will still show in DPD’s background check.
A commissioner asks if candidates who were convicted as a teenager may claim that they don’t have a criminal record. The presenter says yes, but it may still show in DPD’s background check for new hires.
Another question: The presenter says they lose many more sworn officers than civilian employees.
Commissioner Hernandez asks why so many applicants have withdrawn their applications. The presenter points to candidates’ personal reasons.
📊 At 07:27 PM, the board proceeds to a presentation on the 11th Precinct. Captain Johnson, 11th Precinct, is presenting on behalf of Commander Jacqueline Pritchie, who has a medical emergency.
They’ve had no increase in homicides, and had 41 percent decrease in non-fatal shootings. They’ve increased patrols along Dequindre Street, 7 Mile Road, and Outer Drive.…
They have an initiative targetting gangs and high offenders, based on firearms statistics. Aggavated assaults are down 30 percent. Overall crime increased 37 percent.
A commissioner commends the captain. Commissioner Moore also does so, and asks “if you had a magic want, Captain, what would you want” for the precinct? Captain Johnson gives a vague answer regarding long-time officers… https://t.co/Y7MK3s3ePw
DPD deputy chief Hewing chimes in saying they “will never turn down [new] personnel” and says the new weapons detectors will help.
Another commissioner asks why vehicle theft is up and where 11th Precinct community meetings are held. Captain Johnson that thieves are targetting Chevrolet makes, and their meetings are currently online.
Another question about how Chevrolet owners are being notified of the spike in vehicle theft. Captain Johnson says they’re informing community leaders, clergy, and through their community meetings.
A commissioner suggests Chevrolet owners buy tire alarms, while commissioner Carter says her office at Wayne State University is giving away car clubs to Detroiters.
📝 At 07:38 PM, the board proceeds to interim secretary reports and other communications, including reports on facial recognition and ShotSpotter.
DPD’s facial recognition report: They haven’t used facial recognition yet in 2022 while 64 percent of uses in the past year didn’t generate a match. https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/events/2022-05/220509%20BOPC%20Facial%20Rec%20Report.pdf https://t.co/10qqHIPTkC
DPD’s weekly ShotSpotter report: They recovered four guns after ShotSpotter recorded 70 incidents last week. https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/events/2022-05/220509%20BOPC%20ShotSpotter.pdf https://t.co/Z8szjPgmkA
🧳 At 07:40 PM, the board proceeds to unfinished business.
A commissioner moves to move next Thursday’s meeting on the BOPC citizen complaint backlog to May 26, 2022, due to a holiday.
Another commissionersays they oppose this, to avoid getting caught in a “loop” of postponing it. They vote to approve the rescheduling, with commissioners Banks and Moore voting no.
A commissioner responds to commissioner Ferguson’s “shock” that Todd Bettinson was appointed to deputy mayor, saying “we shouldn’t be shocked he worked his way up. He got promoted.”
They continue talking about whether “shocked” is the right word for Bettinson’s appointment.
💼 At 07:47 PM, the board proceeds to new business.
Committee reports. None from the Budget Committee. Interim secretary White chimes in to say the public is invited to give recommendations on a directive online.
A commissioner says Personnel & Training Committee got a positive update from the training academy, and he wants for recruitment literature at Fort Wayne.
Commissioner Moore recites a statement on the Citizen Complaints Committee: The Office of the Chief Investigator (OCI) is analyzing trends in the complaint cases they have.
Moore also says they received a presentation from chief investigator Akbar. Commissioners approve Moore’s report.
🎺 Announcements!
Next meeting: Thursday, May 19, 2022, starting 03:00 PM, at Detroit Public Safety Headquarters (1301 Third Street).
Next community meeting: Thursday, June 09, 2022, starting 06:30 PM, at the WCCCD Downtown Campus Hayden Room (1001 West Fort Street).
Committee meetings happen every second Wednesday of the month at Detroit Public Safety Headquarters. May’s committee meetings happened yesterday
The next committee meetings will be on Wednesday, June 8, 2022 starting at 02:00 PM.
Bernie says they returned from vacation, had a good time. They approve Todd Bettinson’s appointment to deputy mayor, saying they’ll do a “darn good job.”…
They also recount a visit to Greektown and said police responded promptly to her call about reckless driving. Lastly, they spotted evidence of drag racing along Grand Boulevard and they reported it. Bernie, overshooting the time limit, also approves of the weapons detectors.
William says they want a senior advisory panel, in addition to the youth advisory panel that the board approved earlier. And then says they disapprove of commissioners who are not fulfiling the board’s mission.
Scotty: “The only acceptable place for racing cars is a racetrack. So if anyone wants to rais an excess of several million dollars […] but no drag racing in our neighborhoods, period. It’s unacceptable.”
To reduce crime, Scotty advocates for “the village” model of policing where the community participates in crime reduction, intervening community members before they commit a crime.
Bowling, Detroit Residents Advancing Civilian Oversight: They say the board needs to oversee police contract negotiations and says “how can we expect the Board of Police Commissioners to do that when they themselves are repeatedly ignoring the city’s charter?”
Minister Eric Blount, Sacred Heart Catholic Church: “The youth advisory panel must have the power to make decisions on issues. It would be a waste of their time if the board treats them like it does those who provide public comment.”…
Blount points to when a DPD officer held a young Detroit Will Breathe protestor in a chokehold.…
Blount also asks the board to reject agenda items that don’t relate to the police, such as resolutions, “wasting this precious time”.
Rhuben, lifelong Detroiter: “I witnessed a lot of things in Detroit, but this situation facing Detroit right now is dramatic and it’s gonna get climactic. […] Sixty missing children over the last 16 months should be the most important focus of every citizen in Detroit.”…
The call-in commenter who couldn’t join earlier now joins to recite a statement, which they entitle “DPD Maintains Strength”. It’s rather poetic. Overall, they approve of the board.
Commissioner Moore moves to approve Personnel & Training Committee report from earlier, and it’s approved. Was wondering when they would do that.
Commissioner Moore also responds to commenter William, approving their idea of a senior advisory panel. Commissioner Ferguson says that he already talks to seniors in his community.
Commissioner Ferguson continues to talk about his “shock” at Todd Bettinson being appointed to deputy mayor.
A commissioner responds to commenters who talked about the city charter. “We are an engaging board, and therefore I think the public needs to be enlightened and keep it in mind that we are the hardest working board in the nation. Nobody else meets weekly. […] We are volunteers.”
Commissioner Bell continues, saying the “commitment” that some commenters mentioned is beyond the scope of the city charter.
Commissioner Carter says, for the youth advisory panel, they’re reaching out to city recreation centers, Michigan United, Save Our Sons and Daughters, Detroit Will Breath, BAMN, Youth Works, Detroit Youth Violence Prevention, and Detroit Center for Youth and Families.
BOPC’s next meeting will be next Thursday, May 19: https://detroitmi.gov/events/board-police-commissioners-meeting-may-19-2022
That’s my live coverage of this Board of Police Commissioners Community Meeting. As always, thank you for following along!
Check out Detroit Documenters to find more about your local government and how to become a Documenter yourself: https://detroit.documenters.org/
Detroit Documenters will offer more notes and archived materials from this meeting: https://detroit.documenters.org/assignments/board-of-police-commissioners-evening-community-meeting-3834/