Board of Police Commissioners

I will be providing live coverage on BlueSky for the Board of Police Commissioners. Meeting starts at 3:00 and is scheduled until 5:00.

“The Board of Police of Commissioners was created in 1974 by City Charter, which was adopted by the vote of the people. The Charter vests broad supervisory authority over the Police Department in the eleven-member civilian Board of Police Commissioners.”

Public comment. First commenter (age 60) is from 9th precinct and says that he has made a FOIA request since 2016 for videos of an incident and has been unable to get records from the 9th precinct. Deputy says he can file a FOIA request downtown. Some back and forth about this.

Notes, twitter threads, and transcripts from previous meetings can be found at https://detroit.documenters.org/reporting/?agency=17

Next commenter is complaining about police on transit. She says that the officers on transit are on their phones/ earbuds and can’t hear what is going on, which is a violation of policy. A man who raped her was on the bus and the police were not attentive to this.

Now going to comments on zoom.

Next commenter speaking about death of Kaniesha Coleman. Questions official report of what happened. https://wdet.org/2021/12/23/a-grieving-mother-seeks-answers-after-detroit-police-investigation-of-daughters-shooting-death/

Zoom commenter tired of commanders saying that they will show up at community meetings and then not coming. Tired of commander changing at 2nd precinct. Want to have communication from captain and commander at community meetings.

BOPC rep says that this issue will be resolved today. Deputy chief instructed to take care of this today with commander and captain of 2nd precinct.

Deputy chief says that he has generally been confident that officers and NPOs have been attending meetings. However, he wonders if he needs to spend more time at the 2nd precinct.

Next commenter concerned about Sherman Butler case. When requested videos, received bills for these videos. Commissioner Bernard says that they referred the case to OCI. OCI needed the original, unedited videos. Police provided two, but OCI needs all four.

Next commenter from 2nd precinct and agrees that there is too much change in who is the commander. There seems to be a different commander or captain every time he goes to a community meeting. This makes it hard for police community relations. BOPC should get a notice when there is staffing change.

Same commenter concerned with the large fees associated when someone has their car towed.

Next commenter concerned that when there is a criminal complaint involved in an investigation (such as with Sherman Butler or Kaniesha Coleman cases), that BOPC does not have to be involved. Even if there was a crime committed, BOPC should investigate whether the officers violated policy.

Commissioner Woods clarifies that BOPC will investigate all complaints.

I didn’t add this earlier, but if you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, email documenters@outliermedia.org with “Correction Request” subject line.

Also, Outlier Media reports regularly on BOPC, with coverage found at https://outliermedia.org/category/systems-repair/local-government/

Commissioners Woods, Bernard, Banks, Bell, Burton, Moore, Hernandez, Dewalsche, Pressley are present.

Tonight’s agenda approved. January 9th minutes approved. Lots of discussion as to whether Willie Burton’s excused absence from last meeting is adequately reflected in both the meeting transcript and the minutes.

Listing the staff who are present.

Police report listing statistics for homicides, carjacking, nonfatal shootings, mental health calls, overdose calls, service calls.

January 8th, 8400 block of Patton double shooting. Victims were at Joy Road firehouse. Victims sent to hospital. Unknown males shot them while they drove down Patton. Detectives determined that unknown men dressed in black shot at victims. No suspects. Still under investigation.

Next incident was nonfatal shooting on/near Chalmers. Officers from 9th precinct investigated. On January 14th officers arrested suspected without incident.

Next shooting was in 10th precinct. Suspect turned wifi off while suspect was using it, argument and shooting ensued. Self-defense claim was sustained because victim pointed handgun at suspect.

Fatal shooting on 2200 block of West McNichols. Victim shot in chest. Suspect found and arrested on Burgess and West McNichols.

Traffic stop on Duprey resulted in an officer being dragged and firing one shot until he was discharged from vehicle. Officer was taken to hospital. Suspect not in custody. Commissioner requested to see the video because strange that officer was inside car.

Commissioner Bernard asked about whether stopping drivers for minor infractions is part of board policy. This is not part of policy in other cities– what about Detroit? Also recommended that any officer involved in disciplinary action be part of 3 day retraining on basic policies.

Police deputy chief responds that Detroit officers do enforce all traffic laws, even minor infractions. Agrees that retraining is appropriate for officers involved in disciplinary action.

Question about whether the driver who drove off and dragged officer in officer involved shooting incident is in custody. Answer: driver is not in custody.

Director Patillo presenting human resources report for December. Dept was filled at 97%. Officers filled at 99%. On Dec 31, had 31 vacancies but hired 15 officers. For civilian positions, at 92%. Statistics on hiring also listed and what percent are Detroit residents. (fast so didn’t catch numbers)

Net gain of sworn officers: Jan 1, 2023 until now 643 hired, 296 separated.

Grow Detroit’s Young Talent applications will open soon for young people working with police department.

Thankful all of those in recruitment, all the hard work, HR, BOPC, everyone who has made it possible to fill so many positions.

Commissioner Burton’s question: There were a number of officers who were brought on and not certified. How was this mistake made? (didn’t catch what kind of certification Burton is asking about.)

Lieutenant chief says that there was a person whose responsibility it was to put MCOLES certification into the system and they didn’t. Now have moved on to quarterly audits to ensure this doesn’t happen again.

MCOLES = Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards.

Commissioner Bernard is flabbergasted that there has been no accountability for this. The very first question when we hire someone, when we encounter a driver, is “Are you licensed?” How on earth could non-certified officers be put on the street?

Bernard says there is massive liability if a non-certified officer was put on the street and was involved in any wrongdoing. This is not a minor issue. The board needs to address this seriously. How did HR not catch this, and there was no accountability for Patillo?

Bernard: This is not just business as usual. How can we continue like this is business as usual? It’s not. Chairman Woods: Let the record reflect that this is under investigation and that all commissioners were invited to a briefing with Patillo and HR on this topic.

OCI has the names of the officers who were not certified who were working to see if there were any complaints against them.

Commissioner Carter requesting overview on DROP program. Discussion of what the program entails and who is eligible. Back and forth between Bernard and lieutenant.

Commissioner Pressley wondering how long an officer’s suspension can go. There is an officer who has been suspended since 2020. Can this go on indefinitely?

Police representative says that there is no limit on how long a suspension can go. Depends on investigation. However, for some people, they may be suspended for so long that their license has expired.

Pressley: The person in question was suspended without pay, but what about suspension with pay? Any limits on that? Police answer: No limit, but it is a priority to get these investigations completed so that suspensions can end.

Commissioner Moore remarked that there have been a lot of requests made by the board during this meeting for information from different people. It is important for staff to follow up on these requests for information.

One more in-person commenter wants for BOPC to do its job of overseeing officers. We have one of the best police academies– how have our officers killed people going through a mental health crisis and not be suspended immediately?

One more speaker on Zoom member of Coalition on Police Transparency and Accountability. Wants to follow up on Sherman Lee Butler’s case. Received response from commissioner that the case had been resolved by prosecutor’s office. But the concern was not who did the shooting but the officers’ behavior

Also, commenter wants to know why commenters get only 2 minutes to comment, but so much of these meetings is spent on administrative reports from police departments. Isn’t this the oversight body? So why aren’t we spending more time listening to complaints and ensuring they are responded to?

Commissioner Hernandez making motion to go into closed session to consider Donovan Donahue (12th precinct) being placed on suspension or leave without pay (didn’t catch which). Supported by Commissioner Moore. Board is now in closed session at 4:34.

Returning to meeting at 4:52. Present: Woods, Bernard, Banks, Bell, Carter, Moore, Hernandez, Pressley, Dewaelsche.

Commissioner Hernandez making motion to postpone item A under unfinished business. Moore seconds, motion passes.

New business: December 10th interviews for investigator position for two openings. As interview process, oral questions, written sample, and watching a video.

Personnel and training committee motions that Toya Lawrence moves to next stage of hiring for investigating. Motion that Jerika Johnson be re-appointed as investigator. Both motions carried.

Commissioner Carter said that there is an alternate candidate in case the first candidate does not accept the position. Now amending the motion to adding Derrick Knox as the alternate.

Hernandez reports that search for chief of police has been underway for a while. There have been over 20 candidates interviewed by the hiring committee. BOPC will receive a number of data points regarding these candidates and 5 recommendations from the search firm.

Then there will be a search committee meeting to review all candidates. Committee will then make a recommendation to interview the 5 so as to provide 3 names to the mayor by February as required by the charter.

Commissioner Dewaelsche clarifying timeline. Hernandez clarifies that interviews will be on January 30th. Then based on vote at that meeting, can submit 3 names to the mayor by week of Feb 3rd.

Dewaelsche asking how DPD is gearing up for new presidential administration taking hold on Monday. Are they preparing in advance for things like mass deportations, outlawing of certain protests. Are we ready for what the federal administration will force state and local governments to do?

Police representative says DPD is actively discussing and keeping ears to ground. Don’t want to act on rumors but don’t want to be caught unprepared. Wait and see. But agrees with Dewaelsche that there have been 4 years of precedent so we have a sense of what may come.

Dewaelsche: Are we anticipating some cuts from the federal government? Police rep: We have had a lot of grants, such as AARPA, which could be cut. But we never know– this discussion happens every 4 years. We will be ready for whatever comes at us.

Bernard: We need to know that federal law supersedes state and local laws. This happened in the 1960s with federal troops used to desegregate schools. Using federal power? They absolutely have the power to do it.

Chairman Woods commends Dewaelsche for the excellent job scrutinizing budget that she has done.

Pressley motions to adjourn. Hernandez seconds. Meeting adjourned.

This has been my coverage of the Board of Police Commissioners meeting for Thursday, January 16th. If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, email documenters@outliermedia.org with “Correction Request” subject line.

For more information, including transcripts of the meeting, go to http://detroit.documenters.org/reporting/