Board of Police Commissioners, Evening Community Meeting
Detroit Board of Police Commissioners
Criminal Justice
Thursday, May 9, 2024
6:30 p.m. — 8:30 p.m. EDT
21555 West McNichols Road, Detroit, MI 48219 (Directions)
Join meeting on Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81981390642
Check the source website for additional information
Reporting
Edited and summarized by the Detroit - MI Documenters Team
Live reporting by
Colleen Cirocco
Commissioner Rory Gamble resigned; Public commenters called out police aggression and racism after Detroit police shut down a Cinco de Mayo celebration in Southwest Detroit.
It's been almost a year since the last time I covered the BOPC, excited to see what they are up to... https://x.com/colleencirocco/status/1679492879968874496
Find info here on joining the meeting in person or virtually. Tonight's meeting will be held in the 8th Precinct in the Community Auditorium at the 8th Precinct, 21555 West McNichols. detroitmi.gov/events/board-p…
detroitmi.gov/events/board-p…
Commissioner Linda D. Bernard starts off the meeting. Looks like only 5 commissioners are present, not a quorum.
Bernard calls meeting to order and welcomes chaplain for the invocation. ASL interpretation is available tonight.
Vice Chair Tamara Liberty Smith has now joined. They are proceeding with the parts of the agenda that do not require a quorum. Chief Investigator Jerome Warfield is giving a report. Should have 23 investigators by the end of the month. Reduced time to create reports.
Reports used to take 7 hours, now take 1 hour. On the meeting website, there are many report documents uploaded - maybe these are the new automated reports? detroitmi.gov/events/board-p…
detroitmi.gov/events/board-p…
Here's an @media_outlier article on Warfield's efforts outliermedia.org/bopc-watch-chi…
outliermedia.org/bopc-watch-chi…
Compared to last April when there were 442 citizen complaints, numbers are higher this year with 575 complaints. Warfield says they are keeping up with the complaints.
Chair QuanTez Pressley is now present, still no quorum, they are moving forward with their amended agenda. Now they are listing off the next meeting dates which would typically be at the end of the meeting.
Vice Chair Smith is approaching the podium to present certificates. Without a quorum they cannot proceed with voting items on the agenda. Not sure what they're going to do after this if they still don't have quorum.
She presents a certificate to the whole police department on behalf of their work during the NFL Draft.
Commissioners Pressley, Smith, Bernard, Moore, Hernandez, Woods are all present. The rest of the commissioners have excused absences. We now have a quorum.
Pressley is swiftly moving through approving the agenda and minutes from previous meetings.
➡️VIII - Resolutions presented by Vice Chair Smith. Pictured here is Grand Sheik Craig FuQua Bey being honored for several community service efforts. Here is the full resolution that Smith is reading.
The resolution is approved and will be moved into the archive.
Here's a list of the resolutions on the agenda. Rhonda Mitchell will be accepting the resolution on behalf of Mr. Harrison Shelby.
Here is the full resolution being presented to Harrison Shelby.
Next resolution is for City Council President Pro Tem James E. Tate who was not able to attend. They will read the resolution at the time that Tate will receive it.
Next resolution is for Nicolas and Jordan Radden and Dr. Louis Radden II, being presented by Commissioner Bernard.
Roll call vote on this resolution: All vote yes, the one no vote is from Commissioner Darryl Woods. Motion passes.
The last resolution is scheduled for Nancy C. Thomas. Not sure if she is there. They are going back to a resolution for John J. George who was skipped earlier because of his absence. It sounds like they will now read them for both Ms. Thomas and Mr. George.
The board moves motions to accept these two resolutions into the archives.
Sounds like in the middle of that there was a letter of resignation submitted by someone (?) and the board voted to approve it.
➡️ X. Next up is the Chief of Police and 8th Precinct Report. Sounds like crime is down in multiple categories, the officer describes a recent drag racing incident. I believe these numbers are coming from the reports linked at the bottom of this page. detroitmi.gov/events/board-p…
detroitmi.gov/events/board-p…
Officer describes a fatal shooting from Sunday 5/5 that occurred at a block party near Stansbury and W McNichols. Investigation is ongoing.
Moore asks the Chief for a follow up on some data he previously requested on homicides from 1966 to be able to look at trends. How many arrests were made during the NFL Draft? She doesn't know.
Pressley asks for details on a non-fatal officer shooting of a boy by DPD on April 4 - is the dept in line with the 45 days for video to be released? She will provide tomorrow morning.
Commanding officer of 8th precinct is now giving a presentation. Overall crime is down. Car jackings down 55%. Only uptick is in burglaries. They follow Chief White's 5-10 pt plan.
They use targeted enforcement as their strategy based on data and technology. Officers have taken 141 guns off the street. Robbery crime trend - 6 more than expected in the last month. Got largest tip from a community member who was out walking dogs.
Restorative practices for families. Non-emergency police programs such as ceasefire program. 1 troubled youth participated in ceasefire program, joined DPD and works in the 8th precinct. He is listing off quickly a list of programs offered by his precinct.
Listing off some upcoming events: Walk a mile with the chief, monthly council meetings, Police Week is next week, their auditorium is available for recitals, graduations, etc, follow them on facebook facebook.com/DPD8Pct
facebook.com/DPD8Pct
Commissioner Hernandez thanks and commends the commander for their work. Bernard asks how he classifies homicide from justifiable homicide? Couldn't really hear what he said but it seems like he refers to some kind of existing definition or defers to Wayne County prosecutor.
Some clarification from the chief - their report does not include 'justifiable homicides.'
Pressley challenges the commander - the 8th precinct is leading in CCRs against officers (I think this means they have the most complaints). He is aware of them. Coaches problem officers, haves them ride with sergeants. These are allegations made, not charges.
Commander adds that this is the biggest district so per capita it may not be the most complaints. Follow up on NFL draft arrests - sounds like there were 18 "within the footprint" area of the draft.
They recognize a retiring officer of 18 years who the commander says is a "crime guru."
🚨Public Comment - there are 13 speakers lined up. 1. Says people are calling in favors to cover up her rape/protect her rapist, "they act like the black mafia family with badges." Has been coming for over a year, no accountability.
2. Officers keep their job and get back pay from binding arbitration, a contract negotiated under Chief White says discipline cannot be used in determining an officer's promotion. Reads from previous meeting notes of Bernard promoting her personal legal services.
Bernard responds saying it was a remark she made to young people who had just been promoted as officers, she says offers this all the time. Is proud of her reputation. Is reciting her credentials. Tells him not to shame her which were 'charitable in nature,' would say it again.
3. Says don't worry about it, Linda. Loves the police department, they did great work for the city. 91 years old, very passionate.
4. Detainment of 7 individuals over Cinco de Mayo, including himself. Encourages them to do a better job to become educated and informed on community organized events. Invites them to community meeting tomorrow- 7752 W Vernor
5. A smack in their face to hear that DPD does a good job in all of Detroit because it's not true. She was assaulted by an officer, shows her bruises. Officer 1154 must be investigated. "I have 300 complaints against me, one more wont matter." Chiefs don't see the nastiness.
Pressley says this is a matter for the investigators to look into.
6. "Y'all know how to celebrate yourselves." There is a disconnect for how they enforce the law at the draft vs his community. Doesn't understand the double standard against the Latino community. What are the accountability measures the community has against the board?
Pressley's response - accountability is in the voting process, we are voted in, there are opportunities for community to participate in policy discussions.
7. Also frustrated by Cinco de Mayo event, almost got arrested just for questioning an officer.
8. Attorney Hawkins was interviewed by the board - is she legally able to do that position? How many commissioners appointed by Duggan? When will you investigate the complaints on the "Booty Boys" - they were doing body cavity searches without warrants.
Pressley - four commissioners are appointed by the mayor. Will get status update on the complaints she mentioned if she has more information.
9. Bigotry should not be allowed in the city. To start, acknowledge that there are potential problems within the rank and file. Believes black men need to be held accountable as protectors of their own families. Appreciates Ceasefire program.
10. Speaking on the Cinco de Mayo event. What protection were police providing when they shut down multiple businesses with no threat present? Seemed racially motivated. When will we actually be seen, heard, and feel safe? This would not be happening in Royal Oak, Birmingham..
11. He earlier received a resolution honor. Be transparent with these people who have a problem with you. Is marijuana still considered a drug on the federal level? - Yes. Doesn't understand the context of the statistics they present - what are the base numbers?
Pressley takes it to heart and will work on making information more accessible to community.
12. Police told the business owners that they were 'illegals." Was one of the artists at a club that were going to perform, when the police came it all went downhill, they were being very racist. Knocking on doors to shut down small Latino businesses on their holiday.
13. Major problems with SoundThinking (formerly Shotspotter). Speaking out on a technology used by Israel in West Bank, wants them to cut ties with them. Are you still collaborating with Shotspotter? -Yes.
14. What is the qualification of the board secretary? How are you doing this process? Statement of concern on the "Mexicantown raid" - unlawfully shut down businesses. This is unacceptable for the police department to use Gestapo tactics.
Board secretary responsibilities are in the city charter. Trying to get a description that is more accurate to the role - since it's called the secretary most believe i t's a clerical role, but it's more like an executive director.
15. Congratulates the work they did for the NFL Draft. In support of department but they need to make people feel comfortable in their community. Commends specific officers in the 10th precinct. They are feeding the police this week if anyone would like to donate.
16. Urges police to uphold their oath. Alleges absentee ballot voter fraud - trap houses slinging votes out of houses in Detroit in district 1.
17. Thinks the BOPC budget should be increased. Board should have a town hall meeting in SW Detroit in response to the incident in Mexicantown on Cinco de Mayo. The city/department protects white people. Something needs to be done if not it'll get worse this summer.
End of public comments - now the 4th precinct representatives defend DPD actions on Cinco de Mayo. There were no arrests, 8 people were ticketed. We closed a non permanent illegal event in front of El Club. Shut down a non permanent mechanical bull stage.
They attempted to move the crowd in order to open the roads, there was a lot of open drinking and marijuana smoking. Pressley asks the public commenters to maintain their decorum. Asks why this year was different when it happens every year?
The officer said the parade and Cinco de Mayo happened on the same day, which doesn't happen every year. There were 50k ppl. They had to deal with illegal vending. They shut down the outside vending of El Club but not the inside.
Pressley calls out that other events are handled better like the Draft or the fireworks. It sounds like this caught us off guard? Officer disagrees that they were off guard even though it sounds like that's exactly what happened. "We want to do better."
Pressley, repair and reconciliation are essential to build trust with this community. Woods, what are you doing for mediation with the community? City Council Member Santiago Romero will be present at a meeting tomorrow at 4pm.
They have been watching the bodycam footage and will deal with any bad actors. Moore, can we look into the specific badge number that was brought up? -Yes, it is now in public record as well.
Pressley suggests an investigator be present at the 4pm meeting tomorrow so they can follow up. How to file a CCR (Citizens Complaint Report) against an officer to be reviewed by this board app.smartsheet.com/b/form/4052644…
app.smartsheet.com/b/form/4052644…
➡️Moving to a presentation by Gail Tubbs. She has a disclaimer that she will make this brief and acknowledges what happened at Cinco de Mayo (seems like she is hedging, not wanting to dive into patting themselves on the back).
She is presenting about the 8th Precinct Community Relations Council, which is a newly created board as of last November.
Here are a few community-led crime prevention measures they have organized and are in the process of rolling out.
➡️New Business Bernard - Happy Mothers Day, happy parents day to men and women. Motion to adjourn, approved at 9:04PM - screenshot taken mid-vote
🚨 If you find anything inaccurate in my tweets, please email documenters@outliermedia.org with the subject “Correction Request.”
Meeting adjourned at 9:04 PM. This concludes the Board of Police Commissioners, Evening Community Meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for 5/14/24. For more meeting coverage, check out . documenters.org
documenters.org
Agency Information
Detroit Board of Police Commissioners
The Board of Police Commissioners has supervisory control and oversight of the Police Department, including plenary authority over citizen complaints and the power to appoint fact finders, subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, take testimony, and require the production of evidence. The Board also appoints a civilian as Director of Police Personnel and approves all promotions made by the Chief. The 11 member board is comprised of 7 elected members from each city council district and 4 members appointed by the Mayor. https://detroitmi.gov/government/boards/board-police-commissioners
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