the time is now 3pm And I would like to call this meeting to order. We will have an invocation from Chaplain Muhammad Ali via zoom.
Chaplain here.
I said I'm gonna come peace and blessings be upon you all in good afternoon. Let us pray. Bismillah al Rahman al Rahim in the name of God, the Most Compassionate, the most merciful, who holds you and me and all peoples in a single eternal embrace. Lord, we are gathered here today with humble hearts committed to do your work. We praise you glorify you, and thank you for all that you have provided us and blessed us with as you undergo the holy month of Ramadan. We pray for strength and nourishment as we undertake this month long fast from sunrise to sunset. We pray for physical endurance and faith to ease the pain of hunger and bless us with the peace of mind, heart, body, and spirit. We pray for knowing the joy of the blessings of a loving community mutually engaged in a difficult but rewarding work to seek God's pleasure. We pray that we all know the infinite love and mercy of God who appreciates our struggles and sets us gently yet securely back upon our feet. But Ramadan commemorates the revelation of God's holy words in the Noble Quran, and reminds us that we hear God most clearly when we stand in unity with those most in need. We pray that Ramadan to be a time of empathy and solidarity drawing out the depths of human compassion. As we gather here today we remind ourselves of the sanctity of every human life regardless of race, religion, or status. We pray for peace, love and justice amongst us all around the world, especially the innocent that are in harm's way the ones that are in hunger, famine, or in genocide. We pray for peace on our most holy places and spaces around the world to allow those to worship you in safety and free from harm. We praise you, Lord, glorify you and thank you for all that you're provided and blessed us with seek professional worship of you and teach us how to be grateful to you. And finally, we ask You Lord to bless this meeting, and those present here today with a guidance, wisdom, clarity and good judgment and our words and actions and to save the return to our homes in peace. For All Praise and glory is due to you Al hamdu Lillahi Rabbil Alameen Ramadan, Mubarak to you all, may be a happy and joyous month. Amen. Amen.
Amen. I like the milestone.
Thank you.
We would now like to have an introduction of our commissioners, by our Acting Secretary.
Madam Chair, you don't quite have a call.
You don't have a quorum. Okay. You can go to public comment. Or staff reports.
Okay, thank you. So at this time, I would like to ask Warfield for your community impact report, if there is one at this time.
We didn't have a community report this time, but I do want to report out to the board that the progress on our case management system is moving full speed ahead and certainly I want to give thanks to the staff, Acting Secretary Brown, as well as Mr. Drew freeze, who have done just a yeoman's job and making sure that we get the answers back to the various members of Detroit City Council as relates to our new case management system. And also want to say a great big thanks to Commissioner bell for the outstanding job that he continues to do with the new recruits in the Academy had an opportunity to share with him a few times now, and it's just been a wonderful experience. Thank you, ma'am.
Okay, thank you. We now have a quorum. Mr. Brown, could you please proceed with roll call
to the person first excellent excuse. Chairperson Smith,
President
missing Bernard
attorney London Bernard district to present
this in a bank's excellent excused absence permission to bail person District Four. Mr. Burton. President, Mr. Carter. Mr. Moore. Mr. Hernandez isn't a gamble X was an excused absence and commission would say he'll be running late.
Thank you.
We'll now proceed to the approval of the agenda of April 4 2024. Second, Hearing no objections. The agenda the agenda is approved will not proceed with the minutes of March 28 2024. Hearing no objections the minutes as presented are approved.
A check to the minutes.
Thank you, as noted, objected.
Madam Chair. The only way one can object to adoption of the minutes is to have a motion to amend them. Does the commissioner have a motion to amend the minutes that he's objecting to? While they're
there is something some is me that a chair there are so mom some some errors in the minutes. And so for Madam
Chair, if there are errors in the minutes, this would be the time to point those
out. Yes. Can you please point the arrows out did you have Commissioner?
I don't have I don't have it.
I don't have them. Okay, so we're moving. But Madam Chair, I just want there was some typos and I just want to let you know given minutes, always go back and correct minutes of factual errors at any time in the future. So if the commissioner once he finds those errors, wants to come back and make a motion to amend these minutes, he can do so but the only way to object to correction to adopt the minutes is to have a motion to amend them. Other than that the minutes are approved.
Thank you. Moving forward. We now will have an introduction of the BLP staff, Chief of Police, elected officials, representatives and community leaders.
Madam Chair, we currently have parliamentarian Dr. Francis Jackson, Chief Investigator Joe Warfield, HR director Miss Katrina Pattillo. Supervisor investigator, interim supervise investigator Elgin Murphy, Miss Johnny Underwood, Miss Jess and tech Taylor. Mr. Drew free sitting in for the chief is Deputy Franklin Hayes. In representative Miss Murray overall. State Representative Charles Carter's office and Mr. Don Davis council members for Drew Hall, the third office utility Mark young LSA President and Mr. Ron Thomas DPO. Vice President.
Thank you, Mr. Brown. We're now moving forward to our chief of police report, who will be given today by Deputy Chief Franklin Hayes.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Certainly to this honorable body.
You don't have a car. I'm
sorry. So we're moving
so we have lost our quorum, and we will move forward to public comments. Mr. Underwood, do we have any oral communication or public comments?
Yes, Madam Chair. We have three here in the audience. The first would be Gordon Farhat minister, Eric blunt, and Chris Gilmer Hill.
Good afternoon. I'm named Gordon Farhat. I just want to say that I'm leaving Detroit precinct number five. The two ladies that do the crisis over there are some of the most amazing people I've ever met. A couple months ago, I look for missing people. And I'm located in one call them up. She was a 30 year old, a nine month pregnant girl that suffered from mental illness. And when these ladies came over there was amazing to watch how they reacted with her. Got her calm down, pat her got her in the car and got her some help. This I want to say they do incredible job.
Thank you. We now have a quorum. And I'm asking for our citizen Deputy Chief Franklin Hayes to continue with your report. Thank you
Thank you, Madam Chair. And again, greetings on behalf of Chief white to this honorable body. Those in attendance here as well as those that are joining us via zoom. Like to start with our injured officers report. We currently have no officers that are out either disabled or injured, recovering from non on duty incident so that is always a good report of health. So we are certainly grateful for that. As it relates to our crime data. We continue to have favorable numbers. Working together we understand that we don't do this work alone. It is with this community who was tired of this violence that we've had previously and with all hands on deck from certainly our block clubs or community groups or clergy, our CVI groups dishonorable body. We're able to have some record numbers and certainly are so many partners that I did not mention, but they certainly had an impact as well. For our homicides year to date, we are 29% lower than we were this time last year we had 56 This year we have 40 or non fatal shootings we are down 19% Last year we had 160 this year 30 Less at 130. Robberies down 25%. This year we had 329 Last year we had I'm sorry, last year we had 329 This year we have 248 and our carjackings down 31%. Last year, year to date, we had 42. This year we have 29 combined for total Part One violent crimes we have a 10% reduction, where we have a total of 2743 incidents last year, and we have this year 2474. As the weather's changing one of the initiatives that we certainly need to set a tone on early but it's not specific to Detroit but the law was driving drag racing and drifting throughout our community. We have started that detail and from that we have investigated so far this year. Since March 15 110 people we 57 traffic stops. We've issued 26 citations, not impounded nine vehicles recovered for stolen vehicles. We've made 14 felony arrests and recovered nine weapons that were illegally possessed. We've had 10 Police runs. We did have one vehicle that attempted to flee. And one of the areas that we're focusing on this year to curb this behavior is exercising or holding those accountable through city ordinance. Drag Racing spectators those that come and watch this event that too, is criminal and we have written six tickets for that so far as well. Some of our other initiatives as the first comment, comments are here in that brief public comment section talked about and we are truly thankful for the training. Mental health is certainly not a police issue. It's a matter that that we our chief is passionate, certainly to himself and he's rolled up his sleeves and made sure that we are all training serve those with this mental health issue in this mental health crisis, just to share our mental health related calls for service, our mental nonviolent year to date. Last year we had 810 This year we are at 913 So we've serviced 100 more mental nonviolent calls this year than last year. Mental violent. Last year we have 349 This year we have 333 mental violent not armed last year we are at 1399 this year we are at 1333 are suicides in progress. We were at 351 last year this year we are at 352 and suicide threats. We had 740 last year and 719 this year. summing all those numbers up last year we answered 3649 calls this year we have over 3650 So we're right in the same area as we look for a solution but yet we're still committed to having trained officers getting those in need the help that they that they're certainly that they need. I'm just talking about a few significant incidents. Want to talk about the fatal stabbing that happened Wednesday April 3, approximately 9:30am in the 15,000 block of Mack Avenue, where officers arrived at the location and observed a 40 year old male victim with multiple stab wounds to his body. His vehicle was also discovered missing the victims 50 year old 51 year old neighbor has been taken into custody for this incident. And as we look to into the investigation, anyone that has any additional information while we certainly have the suspect in custody, any eyewitnesses as well that may have seen anything they can contact one 800 SpeakUp Crimestoppers or Detroit rewards TV. Also want to talk about a quintuple non fatal shooting that happened and the 8200 block of West Chicago for large fight with shots were fired when officers arrived and talked to witnesses that stated several people were shot but all had fled the location for victims were private, have privately conveyed themselves to the hospital and the fifth was unable to drive himself flag down to scout car for assistance. And then the officers transported him to the hospital. All victims were listed in stable condition. We were able to identify a suspicious person on the hospital property and he was taken into custody to the DDC this investigation is still ongoing. Anyone with information at this location at this incident, please call crimestoppers or one 800 Speak up. I would be remiss to if I left out chief White's 12 Point strategy which talks about venue responsibility. And if there's a venue that's operating, that criminality has happened that now has the attention of the Detroit Police Department, you will get our full focus from that this business was shut down for operating outside of what they're licensed to do and again, they have a responsibility to patrons to foster a safe environment and again, operate within the confines of their permit. So this is our wraparound in our commitment to holding those accountable. Certainly those businesses as well as criminals and perpetrators. Throughout our city for incidents of crime. A fatal shooting that happened on April 2 at 12:30am in the 18,000 block of clangor, where officers made the location and found the victim lying on the porch suffering from a gunshot wound. A witness stated that she was inside the location when she heard one gunshot the victim walked out to the front porch where he collapsed. Part of the witnesses at the scene a firearm was being played with and one of the people present accidentally shot the victim. Homicide is currently investigating, interviewing witnesses and this is still an ongoing investigation and talk about a fatal shooting that happened March 28, at 3pm in the 14,000 block of Griggs. When officers arrived they observed the victim lying inside the location from multiple gunshot wounds. Medics transported the victim to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased. A witness stated that two males were observed fleeing the location and gotten side of a white vehicle after hearing five to six gunshots fired. A search warrant was executed at the home and evidence has been recovered. But this investigation is ongoing as well. again anyone with any information regarding this incident, please contact Crimestoppers at one 800 Speak up or Detroit rewards TV just to share a few positive highlights here Domestic Violence Awareness night happened on Monday, April 1 that Detroit Public Safety headquarters were in partnership with the pistons this donation drive we were able to give out some pistons tickets, some gifts as well. And ultimately, there were some donations to the Detroit Public Safety Foundation as well to further our efforts to educate the community during awareness events just like this tomorrow, Friday April 5 is Detroit Tigers opening day where DPD will have a large presence in the footprint and surrounding areas to help direct traffic and ensure that all attendees enjoy the day safer. This Sunday April 7. Power will hold a cheer competition at 11am at Cass Technical High School. And then as far as one of the commitments or the charge given from this body was that our command officers be visible be engaging and talk with the constituents in their districts last precincts. The 10 precinct held his monthly coffee with the COP this past Tuesday and the fifth precinct held its community meeting this past Wednesday as well. Lastly, there were some action items requested from this body or a member of this body at the last meeting and would just like to provide an update on it. Commissioner Burton have requested information on data sharing agreements with other agencies and the department's recovery process for missing persons.
data sharing agreements were already provided to this body. It was done during the time I actually provided them during our freeway camera efforts when we were going through the procurement process with that so this board already has those documents. So if there's something missing or we can certainly add them but but they have been provided to the board already. And then when a person is reported missing, these are the following steps used to excuse me, our recovery process. We first searched the premises where they were last seen anywhere the size of the missing person could be concealed. Sometimes with small children they could be hiding in the closet or under a bed so literally no drawer unopened just to make sure that we've done a thorough check of the origin of the missing that would also include yards, cars, vacant nearby homes lots and again any rooms inside the recently clean. We may smell an odor or strong bleach or chemical smells or any disturbed yard or grout excuse me on that property or curtilage Just because we know what the possibilities are so that that is one of our our steps one of our first steps on when we address any missing. The next step is the missing has been searched for using multiple law enforcement databases to see if there has been contact with an outside agency sometimes. Some will maybe perhaps maybe been an accident perhaps. Excuse me, they may be in custody. And that is why they've been reported missing. They have not been in contact with their loved ones. This would also include a search of their vehicle and the vehicle information. We also check with the hospitals and the morgues to see if perhaps we have any someone by that name or perhaps the John or Jane Doe that they currently have in their possession to see if this is perhaps the missing person. And we talked about that canvas area but then we would transition to digital. I'm sorry for digital evidence, residential cameras, neighborhoods, interview cameras of businesses, it's the nearest main roads compromised. Thank you confirmation that the missing has attended work or school. So we will utilize that obviously reaching out to relatives and friends, social media to see if there's many in any activity on their accounts then. If they have bank, their bank cards, their financial instruments, whether it's a bank card a bridge card, a social security card, we're checking to see if there had been any activity on that as well. Then our lane or NCIC to include we put that message out that again, this person is missing certainly after our efforts are to locate them and find them. If we're not then we're putting this out to other law enforcement agencies in the region through this national database to just put this so if anyone comes in contact with them, we can certainly return them. Get them to their loved ones. We have incidents of those that may have mental health issues, perhaps stages of physical health or ailments that can affect their their mind such as dementia, which they don't know where they are, or have gotten lost. So putting this information out to our other law enforcement partners. Again, all in our efforts to return this person to their loved ones. And then immediate release, obviously using our partners in the media, as well. Again, to get this person home, and then once they are reported missing once they have been returned or they have been located. Then we still go out and visually verify them. If someone is attempting to conceal the nefarious act. They may say well no they're home. We're good. You don't have to worry about it. But if we get a call saying that someone has returned home, I tried Sorry, one second. Then we will send our officers out or if they're in another agency or another state, we will still have that agency physically lay eyes on them for the physical mental health as well before we remove them from our missing database. That concludes my report, and I will gladly answer any questions this body may have. Thank
you for your report are there any questions from the commissioners? The chair Commissioner burden, Chief
this data sharing agreement that I'm looking at right here is not the data sharing agreement at i I'm the data sharing agreement that I am that I just received here hand copy here to set at my desk is not the data sharing agreement that I initially requested. The data sharing agreement that I requested was was based off of an article that was released in wire pertaining ShotSpotter and so I like to renew, renovate what I asked for, just to be crystal clear here today. As I have been in previous weeks, is that I'm looking for a data sharing agreement with ShotSpotter with those other cities. This one here is talks about license plate readers. snot, what are x for I do see the CDs here but I'm looking for the one for data sharing agreement pertain and ShotSpotter based off of article that was released in the wire. We talking about microphone sensors that's sensible enough to pick up conversations from this ground level. We also know that ShotSpotter has a multi million dollar lawsuit
gives me point this point of order and for corner of information scuze me Commissioner point of order because you asked for information that they gave you, you're not born of that born are born out, or none of the things that you order or point of order.
I've been raising a lot of these concerns way before Commissioner arrived on the board but point of order and cheap cheap. There is
with Madam Chair, point of order has been raised. You need to rule on values and point of order is well taken or not. If you rule that the point of water is well taken in is first of all the commissioner needs to state what rule has been violated. So when you raise a point of order, you need to say this rule has been violated. After that, then you would rule on whether or not the point of order is well taken or not. So the commissioner needs to tell you what is his point of order? What rule has been violated. That's what point of order means there's been a violation of a rule of law or policy or parliamentary rule. Thank you. Mr. Barton.
Your point What are you trying to say to
the to the to the chair and fellow commissioners and listening audience that when I'm when I'm raising here is that our what our request is something on the behalf of resonance residents. City of Detroit residents for weeks now for for over 10 weeks, approximately and and more like eight weeks pertaining to this article that was released and the wire but also asks for other specifics, like how many lawsuits you know, that are pending. And in the total of those lawsuits we see. Were in Chicago ShotSpotter. Miss identify Michael Williams. Okay, well, let's say we're underwater still on a snow.
You ready to talk about Chicago because we're talking about ShotSpotter
it's, it's all part of this whole conversation so point of order and they gave you your information. Please have respect. I'm the Thomas. I'm a senior stakes man on this board and I'm the top vote getter on his board. Please have some respect and please have some class skills
leads or Madam
Chair. When we raised a point of order, you have to state what rule is being violated. It seems to me from listening, the Commissioner is saying that he has requested information he's not received thank you that does not rise to a point of order. So there is no pending valid point of order. There is I believe, Madam Chair, what you may be trying to get to is this is a point for asking questions. And it appears that the commissioner is engaged in a platform statement. And those two need to be separated.
Thank you ma'am. There is no platform here this question.
Border it for point of information, I raise erase information on behalf of the citizens are betrayed on behalf of those that wake up every day in poverty that doesn't have the resources for a really good offense. We see in Chicago where misidentify black men who serve a print print of prison citizens and that was later exonerated. for crimes committed.
We need to allow the deputy chief to respond.
If I may, Madam Chair with the specificity specificity, mentioned at this point of those that request can be put in writing. We will respond accordingly to the commissioners.
Request duty Chair. Thank you have a top heavy back there majority of the audience back there is is law enforcement commission that you are out of order that I as usual you are out of order. You were asked to ask the question on the border. There my request is in order because I raised it on behalf of the citizen to train our race in approximately 10 weeks ago, and I get that information information. Wow. This is not they have given you your information. I don't know why you like to get up here and show out every time I'm not getting ready to go back and forth with torn avoider point of order.
Move on to the next Commissioner Madam Chair. Thank
you, ma'am. So we're now moving on Miss Underwood's Oral Communications. Thank you. Do we have anyone on
the commissioners into as well the commissioners have questions?
No. Excuse me while I asked does any other commissioners have any questions? There are no questions. Moving forward. Please miss Underwood. Can you please move on to oral communications? Yes, Madam
Chair. Our next speaker will be Minister Eric blunt. Chris Gilmore Hill. And Miss Bernie Smith.
Good afternoon board I'm monastery blocked from Sacred Heart Catholic Church here in Detroit. The corruption in this space borders on a cult because each of you know that the main focus and the critical work of this board is police officer misconduct. But you let the chief's office just ramble on about crime and incidences of crime and crime statistics. So you just avoid it but it's, it's gotta be intentional. You know what you're doing? You are smart people. So the stuff you put up with commission of burden. I know. In many ways I have trouble with him. But many ways. I don't blame him. I go crazy to if I had to sit here and listen to crime statistics when we are here for police officer misconduct. And there's more than enough evidence to show that police officer misconduct is rampant in this police department. We can tell by the lawsuits we can tell by the number of citizens that are falsely arrested. We can tell by the number of citizens that are falsely imprisoned. But no. Commission to bail we're glad to see you back. Whatever facts and information come out we all need to know it in its entirety. Speaking of facts, anyone under the sound of my voice especially those in the investigative realm, the Auditor General and inspector general. If you need to know specifics, I will tell you the things I have talked about Commissioner Bernard doing as being very, very wrong is from the transcripts of March to second 2023 page 37 starting at line nine but I'll start at line 16 And I quote Commissioner Bernard, you ladies and gentlemen. Those are the people she just promoted. I am attorney Linda Barnard if there's anything I can do for you as a lawyer, personal or professional, please feel free to contact me.
I'd like to respond if I may. Just quickly Madam Chairperson. Minister of bond has come to these meetings for more than two years now, indicating that he is a man of Christian faith. Yet in the past three years or so that I've been here and listen to him, he has consistently and hatefully come to this meeting most weeks to personally attack me rather than address any of the issues of the day or on the day's agenda. You must stop attacking me, Minister Bob, I've told you this before you are acting like a petulant child. We all know that. You want to be on the board of the police of police commissioners. We also know you have proven that you are and that you do not possess the character, temperament or civility, to sit here as a representative of our community or anyone other than yourself. So please stop.
Let the record show that Commissioner Dara was is now present. Thank you Miss sandoway anymore. Oral Communications narrative.
My name is Chris Gilmer Hill. I'm a lifelong resident of the second district. First and foremost, I'm here to support Commissioner burden and ask the rest of this board. Please take action on the ceasefire resolution that has been brought before you time and time again, I'm aware that the leadership of this board has consistently failed to provide it to you to put it on the agenda etc. At this point that is not an excuse. You all know about this resolution. And you all know about the vital importance of passing this and ensuring that the technology being tested on civilians on the streets of Gaza does not wind up here at home. There was just an article released by an Israeli technology reporter showing that the technology being developed in Gaza not only is being created by these startups in preparation for sale internationally, the technology is truly evil. There was a program called Daddy's home that the Israeli military uses to target the homes of Palestinians and try to find the times when these like men are at home with their families with the specific intent of bombing them at home, and not just while they're out. Doing any sort of military operation. That is evil, that is genocide. And Commissioner Burton has consistently brought a resolution I would thank you Chairman Commissioner Bernard for their efforts to bring this forward. The rest of you need to do something. I'd also like to address the conduct of the sports leadership during this meeting. To be blunt, the conduct of the Acting Vice Chair is an embarrassment to my city. We are going to talk about Chicago. We are going to talk about Gaza. We are going to talk about human rights and civil liberties for the people of Detroit. We are not going to stop until we achieve justice everywhere. I would thank Commissioner burden the repeated and unjustified interruption of his questions to the chief absolutely do rise to a point of order. The department has not provided this specifically requested information about ShotSpotter and we should keep asking for it until they do so thank you
and thank you sir. And response when this honorable board has been presented with the same resolution that was submitted by city council then we'll review it until then we won't point
of order anything on a board will be point of order add it point of order tracked it of what they present it point of order. I'd like to make a motion at this time that we removed that the chairperson because her statements is definitely out of order. Do I have a second from any colleagues I have making a motion that we remove the chairperson for today's meeting.
The commissioner must first be recognized madam chair where he can make a motion
through the chair through the chair. As I just saw in that statement as a chairperson, all the public apology. You owe this man. A sincere apology,
Madam Chair,
a statement that was made to him Jim, I'll be recognized was out of all that was out of order. Therefore, I like to make time recognized that we removed the chairperson at today's meeting.
Thank you recognize me. We are here for citizens of the city. of Detroit. We're not here for any slideshows. We're not here for anything but for the people at the city of Detroit. Our city needs our help and they need our leadership. So I encourage all commissioners to stay focus on the agenda at hand which is making sure that all of the needs of the cities is being met. You know, I'm asking you guys to you know the Lord of temperature and this focus, because this is the time for citizens to be able to speak. And I think we should hear from all citizens. So we need to debate some things. That's one thing. So please, let's move on. Thank you, sir.
I'm sure if I just may quickly. Yes, ma'am. The gentleman that just spoke. I think we were all listening intently to you and of course, to Commissioner burden as well. I we I think we can or the chair can make a decision, but she can at this meeting in order to put together perhaps a subcommittee to address your concerns regarding the ceasefire. The the resolution doesn't have to be exactly like City Council's arts can be bigger or less, because we're an independent body. But I understand that you want us to address this as a priority. I think our chairperson recognizes that well because it's it's it's a matter of life and death for a lot of people. And it's important that that us that we as a body weigh in on this issue about what's happening with the war. So we can do that if you if With your permission, and we can meet and come up with something for you. If that's
okay And Madam Chair, may I be recognized already Yes. And what you're looking at all of this. This is not a pure sci fi resolution. We need if for us to look at a resolution that has to you know, be a resolution like everybody around the country has done and then also when you want to look at some things I'm thinking about the black children and Haiti as well. This suffering and dying over there. Who gonna get revolution resolution for them? Thank you. Who's gonna give a resolution for the children in Africa and throughout the diaspora? It's not to say no, so this is this is this is not to go for tat. But there's a lot of suffering going on around the world. And my heart bleeds for the people in Haiti. My heart bleeds for the people in Israel as well as in Gaza, you know, but these ceremonials resolutions does nothing to stop the the hatred or the violence that's going on in city Detroit. I'm happy to do a pure resolution. And support a resolution that don't have politics attached to it. We're not here to play politics. We're here to do something meaningful and significant for the citizens of the city in Detroit, first and foremost, but if we also want to pass resolutions let's do one. That's gonna be not because if we're talking about technology, cell phones, technology, MacBook is a technology, you know, you got all types of technology issues, and so we can't just be willy nilly about this. You know, let's do this with pure hearts and pure intention and stop pontificating.
Madam Chair, you have this elderly lady who's been standing there and concern one second, please go ahead, Miss Smith. Excuse me,
madam parlane petite, you know, you know this is the Border Police Commission. She's a chair person, and we are the commissioners here and we can run this meeting.
Thank you.
Thank you, Commissioner Willis,
the chair.
I have Miss Smith. Miss Smith. Can you go ahead please. I'm sorry for your waiting thank you for your patience
that evening for everybody. I didn't come last week because I was still upset with the commissioner lying on me about my cane. I have never and God knows I have never had anybody with my cane let alone him. So I want to let the commission know and the public know he lied. on me. I went to my attorney to talk about and he says not worth it. So I just want to let you know because I was ready to fight him all the way to the end. Now my thing is this. I was raised by a mother who didn't allow no disrespect in her home whatsoever. And I did the same with my five children. I got bad, bad children, five grandchildren five great grand and they're all visa respectful children. I have one that just retired from Ford for after 39 years. Another one is P and C with the bank executive. I got a postmaster daughter in the suburbs. And I got another son retired from Cadillac two years ago. So I have raised my children. Then I got grandchildren one's a doctor out of Michigan State she graduated from and I got one from Alabama, which is the engineer that don't want to come back to Detroit she loves down there. Then I got another one. That's a caterer. So don't they're embarrassed me before the public and tell me that I'm hitting somebody with the pain. If I got to do that, then I don't need to come here every week. You need to take care of your problems that you have here and that problem is your Commissioner over there. He's this guy. That's disgusting. He's dishonorable and he doesn't care what he says to nobody here. Then you got a minister, as you stated, don't respect nobody. This is a city that we got to respect each other besides stop killing. each other and try and make amends. Don't get along with somebody. My son has us over to his house every Sunday, but it's 10 of us. And believe me, we get along we don't drink at the pool or anything. We get along with each other and we talk about this Police Commission. Thank you for your time. Take care and God bless everybody.
Thank you bless you. The next three speakers will be Miss Elena Herrera. Russ Blatt and Michelle George.
Good afternoon, honorable Commission. Thank you for allowing us to speak. I would like to lend support to the resolution for ceasefire in Gaza. Immediate and permanent ceasefire, and also support the disinvestment of surveillance by Israeli technology. I ask you to really truly consider the human rights violations that are going on and the amount of money that the portfolio's of major municipalities, particularly police departments are putting into it. Thank you. Thank you
I don't think I need my full two minutes but I I want to restate what a little a little differently what I said at the last meeting concerning technology companies that are involved in gathering data that gets used in ways that are in gross violations and murderous violations of human rights. I gave an example from right from Detroit, when IBM organized all the data on a contract with the Nazi Party in 1933. When Hitler came to power, they organized all the data for the Holocaust. Put all the data together and they knew was a whole book has been written based on US government documents and others. The talks about how that was done. They even organized the railroad lines that ran into the death camps. We can't assume because somebody has a reputable name, that they're acting reputably when we saw those food delivery workers, which the White House has just called out and called for a ceasefire because of the killing of those workers. That was data was collected through surveillance intelligence gathering. The technology companies don't pull the trigger. They create the targets for the people who do pull the trigger. And if they are doing business in Israel, it's in connection with the war and the systematic genocide that's going on today. They're doing business there. They should not be doing be given any business. There needs to be accountability in the marketplace. There needs to be accountability in the world, and we can't honor them with a contract or doing any kind of business that ignores the role they're playing today.
And that is your time. Thank you to the chair. Go ahead, sir. For the next speaker comes up. I just want to just say that this genocide that's happening right now and over in Gaza, is wrong.
And many
families across the country
are in pain.
And also, the surveillance piece that's over in Gaza is also wrong in a standard and it's unconstitutional. And you know, and anyone who has a heart should want to do the right thing by adopting a ceasefire, surveillance resolution from this from this board. Because it's the right thing to do. And we all just say, Free Free Palestine. Free Free Palestine.
Thank you. Go ahead, please.
All right. Good afternoon, everyone, to the soundboard. Deputy pays. I want to just make a comment. I know it's been a lot of tension among this board. And I'm hoping hopefully because I did apply as a police commissioner, but hopefully you all can get yourselves together with conflict because we know throughout the years I've been coming to the meeting has ever been in conflict. But I just hope when we were in when I was in DC a month ago they were talking about oversight and police boards is not making it a bad thing it is to investigate citizens complaints. It's nothing against the police. I do want to congratulate the woman of excellence that won award at the Michigan chronicle the other week, last week, but it's all about just getting together just like commissioner would state it. Now I'm here to talk about the children. I do want to thank the Chair I felt that you were looking forward with the 13 year old but we have a lot of missing children that have I mean twins even if the child runs away, and Deputy deputy pays if you could take this note for Chief white I'm gonna send out an email and I'm gonna send out an email to all of the board of police commissioners of all the children have been missing in the last three months. Even if the child has ran away. We have to report that it's been the 16 year old their children walking in the IDI we understand a lot of runaway children 10 and 11 years old but what we need to do, we need to find these missing children because that 13 year old when we get so lacks I'm talking about Lexus a city we get so lacks to not to find these children. Then we have somebody like the 13 year old that's missing that was at the bus stop that Detroit DPS was slowly to the school system to report on. So what we're going to do as citizens we're going to put in our hand. We're going to get this across the country. We got to find these missing children. If they are run away, report it I will write the mayor. I will get to the mayor because I got to do a proposal for him for mental health health hospital. I'll get to the mayor but we have to report the missing children that are occurring in this city. I'll be in New York next week. They will be discussing it. So that's why I want us to get on it with doing that. Thank you very much for your time. Thank you.
Thank you Madam Chair. The next speaker will be Ronald Foster. And after Mr. Foster Lieutenant Mark young and then we're going to zoom
in Good evening, through the chair. The first day I just wanted to come down this evening just for you my our community as a whole does a sexual awareness month as far as staying I know a lot of our children come here and the youth panel has spoken up and that's one of the things that they wanted to be included in weekly reports were sexual assaults within the city. The impact of it is so significant I only had two minutes I cannot describe how those crimes affects communities, lack of response or closures. So just moving forward, sexual awareness month human trafficking and I bring these things up because we have NFL draft coming here the way we conduct ourselves is not going to be just seen here in the city. But we need to start conducting ourselves in a more fashionable manner for this nation to see this and that's really where we had to have more cohesiveness and and whatever we do now whether we spiritual or not, I know the Bible where it says that God is not the author of confusion. And so if there's anything that's confusion, where one can humble themselves to get rid of confusion, then it is not of God. So I'm not God and I'm not judging anybody, but I'm making that the word very clear. Now one thing he said is my work will not come back void. Okay, so I could preach with the best album, but it ain't just about preaching. It's about having the best of them walking with you. Why you preaching it's about having the best I'm teaching with you why you preach and as long as you got your own funky attitudes, you won't be in a position to teach nobody anything. So we all have a lot of cram over the weekend. We have to focus more being a collective city as a whole. And if I have to address resolutions as opposed to arguments, thank you.
Much respect to you, Madam Chair. Past, present and future I've lived here all my life and I've never been more prouder to be a member of the Detroit Police Department or a citizen of this city, because I saw it. I watched it. Excuse me. Could
you say your name please Lieutenant
Mark? Yeah, thank you. I've never been proud of my city. We just had a company and we bout to get company again. But it's not about the company that we get. It's about what this men and women do otter day. I asked the board as calmly as I can today, because I could be just as angry as everybody else. Don't compare my department to other cities, because you have no idea. Other cities are looking at our department right now and praising us the cities are looking at our city right now and praising us. I rip out remember the days of rubble. I remember the days when we had to block off part of Woodward to set the height to shame ourselves from the embarrassment of the blight. As I drove by the train station today I had tears in my eyes seeing from rebel to greatness. Don't compare my department in my city to nobody else. Injustice, some individuals was passing out flyers and injustice to the members of the men and women of the Detroit Police Department who gives their heart souls and sacrifice for the city. If you ain't never been in a shoes, don't don't even judge them. Don't discuss them because they deal with more than what you know what you see on TV. They live in nightmares. wingspan? wingspan. If you know anything about leadership leadership is wingspan it's what you could reach out what you could grab what you could touch. My heart goes out to the people of Israel, Gaza, Africa, all around this world. But right now Microsoft is the people of the city of Detroit, which I'm willing, my colleagues are willing to give and risk their life for let's stay focused. That's what our mission is. Our city came from rebel and it's coming to greatness. Let's stay focused on that.
Madam Chair, we have five speakers in zoom. Our first speaker will be Malik Shabazz green, the next will be one of the coldest. This and the third one will be Marguerite Maddox. Mr Shabazz,
yes. Thank you. I'll give an honor to God to this honorable body and to everyone who watching through zoom or whatnot. I want to pick up on what the lieutenant was just saying. I think we have the finest police department in the country. We're not always that way. But I think that's where we are now. And the police have worked with the community and the community has worked with the police, to improve, to grow, to be better, to be more responsive. So I just want to say thank you. To all of the Detroit Police officers as far as any bad ones got a will to weed them out. And, and we'll help the Lord to weed them out. Constitution really will help them but this is a constitutional police force that we have. And again, in many ways, we are light years ahead of other municipalities and as far as the abuse and terrorism that our people black people are going through across the country. We've turned that road, we cut that corner here. We don't have to worry about that here. So thank you all. And special shout out to my good friend, Linda Barnard. Love you.
Love you more. Thank you
one of the coldest
Can everyone hear me clearly. Hear me? In Detroit, we have a very serious problem with elections, every elected position in the city of Detroit is now highly highly suspect in question in question, because we have absentee ballot, voter fraud. A case one case was demonstrated on the 28th of February right after the presidential primary election United States presidential primary election was held. You can do a video on Facebook, Detroit unity page or Instagram, Detroit unity page or inner X tra unity page. Now, Commissioner Renard, I heard what Glenn Baird said. And I believe it was factual what he was stating. For you to say what you said about him. I think that's really highly, highly inappropriate. So that's what I'm gonna say to you. Kenisha Coleman DPD. Case number two zero dash 11112. You were there. When the bill was there. As a Michigan State Police report now been proffered, returned over to the Detroit Police Department last year and 2023 with their findings from our review and investigation of that case number. I'm going to ask you, Linda Banagher. Now since you were there to make a motion today that that report be presented to the Board of police commissioners, whatever review so you guys can know exactly what I've been saying since 2020. Now, Willie bill, I don't know what you think you're gonna do, but you got to go. You got him the way he was in a nice way. Now you got to get out her way. Thank you.
Miss Marguerite.
Good afternoon.
Good afternoon.
Hey, know what we
know you die
be with
you because
we work
shoot oh, we're good.
Like I just said to leave the room with me do we?
Need a will. If you don't know
what
that can look
again.
The next caller with the last three numbers 124. And then former Commissioner William Davis will be the last speaker
Yes, good afternoon. May I be heard?
You can be are.
Okay, thank you. I do support the police but there is some house cleaning that needs to be done or assistance for people to step up their game. I spoke before about property crime situation that that escalated now even worse than when I brought it up before. A neighbor of mine caught a guy stealing off his porch on camera six times and the police didn't do anything about it. Then this gentleman became involved in and he torched a few houses. He was prosecuted for one or two of them. The neighborhood was concerned he tried to plead insanity but he didn't get that and the neighbor said you know he does have issues but he does know right from wrong. And so he's that came wellness they're gonna release him with each other people are very upset about it and then guess what they did? They push the city to demolish the family member's house. And then the day demolish the house last week. There were five cop cars there. And I heard the news trucks were called then I heard helicopters for from like 12:30am to 330 in the morning. People are still concerned. This is not a house problem. Mike Duggan and all these demo demo demo people we cannot demolish our way out of societal problems. But I do view this as a police though, because Have there been earlier intervention if there had been then perhaps a number of people wouldn't have had their houses torched. And this lady wouldn't be getting a $45,000 I've heard demolition bill and you know I'm sure that that so yes, this is an intersection of mental health. But again, I believe had the police intervened if they would take property crime seriously and I got a situation remember Burton? They still are not helping me out on that situation about the Pisco that ripped me off. The investigator doesn't seem to want to help told me stuff that Michigan State Police and other DPD officers told me is not true. So you know if all these higher income earners that Mike Duggan so happy about it.
Oh, excuse me, do you see is is it possible that we can look into this color or complaint?
Look forward along with OCR and a lot more to the chair from issue.
To chair I actually I actually agree that OCI is is very capable of looking into this. I'm not sure have they have a had opportunity to look into this. I'm not sure if it's been brought to them yet. But I do know that this is a district five resident is is one of my constituents and they come before this board often about many of their concerns about the police and their behavior and and how the police and you know, you know in in are all in the community, but they also bring other concerns. They support the police on one hand, but when the police are wrong, they share this in the border mean it'd be nice if if the department can look into this as well, but also since they brought their concerns to the board. That OCI get opportunity to reach out to this person. And, and, and, and get their full story and and and begin to work on that because you know, you know we still have 700 cases as confiscated by the city inspector general. And, and there can there can be others. voices as unheard of to that can go unheard of and we need to really listen to the traders when they come into these meetings. They suppress their concerns. That yeah, and we you know, we understand that they they in pain. I am that they want answers. And this board right here is very very capable, helping them get closure. And and I know that the chief investigator has a hard working team. I know he's, you know, very hard on the job. And I'm and I'm not sure if this case has arrived to him since he'd been there. But the department have heard this concerns from a district five resident over and over and over. And I'd like to hear from the department on how you're going to help this district five resident get closure because she brings her concerns week after week. And then she may skip some weeks but she always bring the same concern.
Thank you, Commissioner. We're gonna move forward to have we all see eye warfare. Thank you, sir. And are there any more our final
speaker is former Commissioner William Davis, please go ahead. Mr. Thank you, Commissioner Davis.
Hello, can I be heard?
You can be heard. Go ahead, please. Okay, I
like to start out by saying that. I also strongly believe that this boy should do a ceasefire. Resolution. That's like what the President is also calling for an immediate ceasefire. What makes it even more egregious about this because I'm all around activist is the fact that our dollars are our defense department is sending stuff over there just killing women and children. You know, I'm a Christian. I know y'all. Some of y'all may not believe in God. But I think this is just morally wrong. And our dollars is helping to kill 1000s of people, women and children and aid workers. This is unconscionable. And you know, anybody a good country should recognize this and be willing to stand up for it. Also, as it relates to Miss Smith talking about Mr. Commissioner Burton. I was at the meeting when she did swing her pain and almost hit Commissioner Burton and Commissioner Brown and former command of former former deputy chief Todd Dennison, who's not deputy mayor. And also at that time, you know, that they asked Commissioner Burton he was asked whether or not he wanted to press charges on her. Perhaps he should have been perhaps she wouldn't be making so many comments and acting the way she does sometimes. But you know, she did attack him in a meeting. And you know, and no one's most publicly attack a public official that did happen. I am a witness to that. Awesome, I believe this board this board should budget should go up and the staffing for investigators should go up when a major number of police officers are added to the force and it's when they get different tasks and different responsibilities. You know, like the ones is going to be on working with DLT. Now, some more complaints are going to go up we need more investigators. Thank you.
Thank you.
We will now move forward to our presentation to the board. Madam Chair. I
think I raised my hand. I'm
sorry. I'm sorry, sir. Commissioner, male commercial.
Thank you, ma'am. I just want to respond to cswa I'm support. I support it. But it is not the proper for the chairs paid is not the proper form plus to take a political issue. That is not the proper form. So we just have to if you need a legal opinion, we need to have that opinion. But that is not the proper form for this body. To entertain that type of resolution on ceasefire. Secondly, I mean IG report came up, I talked to Cooperation Council mallet and this body D to entertain for him to come to this body even publicly on closed session to discuss that matter, because they have the opportunity to make a decision as a prosecutor as Supreme Court, and you have no challenge that but I think this board needs to be enlightened in terms of what actually what that report 38 pages, and that was no reprimand. of anybody on that indictment. So call, but we were encouraged to be retrained. And as we all know, we never been trained in reference to that is the key point. And so out of that they came out retraining for myself, permission to card, but there has been no training of this board says I have been on the board since 2014, stuff like that. So I'll put this a risk. We need to bring it out and deal with it because I've taken the three four weeks you haven't even talked about it. But you took action against myself and Commissioner Carter without any input without any of that well. But this board has a history of engaged in that type of conduct. So we need to in that process. We need to be fair to the public also to commissioners. We give more rate to police department and we do for our own body. I think I've been an honorable member of this board quite some time. But I am continue to be embarrassed to how we conduct our business. In terms of that whole process. I want to state it especially for you commission because you have no idea what has transpired over the years, but you need to enlighten yourself to get some background to facts. Thank you Madam Chair.
Thank you sir.
I was wait your new business.
Go ahead of the agenda. Okay.
So we're moving forward to the board presentation for Mr Frese.
Madam Chair,
thank you, Mr. Freeze. Commissioners of the board
come to you today to present the budget actuals for February for the board of police commissioners I'm gonna pause just want to make sure I can see it up on the screen for the public. Awesome. Go to the next slide. One more
for the month of February, the budget actualized at $226,000.30 and 37 compared to the February budget of $291,332. This represents an actualization of 78% we have a surplus of $65,000 295. The rationale here is that the bo PC team still has some vacancies and also still the marital science construction. Not being completed and the the rent not being able to be paid. turning the page here as we look to fill these vacancies. We have just posted six VPC investigators. The secretary of the board interviews are to be set for April 18. The executive manager of policy this is in the process of being posted and the attorney is currently on hold. Go to the next page
go to the next page. Take we're just going to look at the last page what has been most relevant and for my role is the submission and budget hearing of the fiscal 2024 through 2025. Budget are our hearing for this budget took place Monday, March 25 at 2:30pm led by Chairman Presley and since we have been fielding inquiries by council members, specifically councilmember Callaway councilmember Johnson and council president Sheffield. So big thanks to the OPC staff, the chairman and the commissioners for the background here to feel these inquiries going into next year. The spirit of our Bo PC budget is to increase. We submitted a significant increase. The mayor has proposed a significant increase for the board of police commissioners, and that is really to increase the headcount of the OCI team. So former commissioner, William Davis spoke on that and that is exactly what's happening as we move into the next year is to increase the size of the OCI team, as well as make their work more effective and more efficient, giving them a new case management system that concludes my presentation.
Thank you. Thank you. Are there any questions in regards to the budget for many commissioners to the chair? My
question for our fiscal manager, Mr. juvies and also, I guess this question can also go to our chief investigator. First, I will go to the chief investigator then to Mr. Jeffries, but it's really the same question. Just worded slightly different Chief Investigator Warfield. If looking at your manpower right now, over at OCI What are you? What are you like to be staffed at VARs manpower fires working on? Citizens complaints, backlog has has been ongoing issue for you know, for years prior to your arrival but you're the right man to turn things around and I know you have done your homework far as assessment or where you like to be I'd like to see your office and you know, and um, you know, we all happy that you, you know, on the job because, you know, anybody can turn it around you can but question is what would you like to be? It's like we budgeted for investigators at one one level. But where would you like to take that number of where were we able to focus on a backlog as well as any new occurrent cases that could be arriving? At OCI
through the Chair. Thank you for the question. It is my assessment as we look at the number of CCR 's that are continuing to come into the office, and they're tracking around the same pace that they did last year and last year was a historic number for us. We are looking at to get at a level that wow, I will believe will level set us to handle all the complaints that's coming into the office plus the backlog of cases that we still have there. idealistically, we need 25 Investigators we need five senior investigators, we need for supervising investigators. We need an additional administrative assistant to handle the cases to handle the processing of those cases that are coming in as well. So those are the staffing levels that I believe we need in addition to this and this is not something we've discussed, but I am in 100% favor of us exploring a deputy position for the Office of the Chief Investigator. Because when a chief investigator comes to this position, there has to be some significant transference of skills and knowledge. Because the person coming in from the outside and not knowing this organization will be completely lost. And a deputy will give the will give the foundation or support that that office needs even when the chair or the chief investigator see changes individuals and hopefully in the future. That's the discussion that we can have moving forward in the future but immediately, we believe that 25 Investigators five seniors, three I'm sorry for supervising investigators, and another person added to our administrative staff would suffice
to the chair now like to take that question and move it over to our fiscal manager. Mr. Drew fees. Thank you for for a great report that you always provide to this to this bomb board and also to our listening audience. Listening to our chief investigator mentioned 25 Investigators where you like to see and he also mentioned for is it for SR five SR and for superbes. Okay, and so we're looking at 34 individual 534 Minus the deputy position so looking at the investigators positions for now. And thank you to Commissioner Brunner
What are you What were what
were this? Can you can you look into those numbers for at a later time to see where those numbers would be and see how we can work that with the City Council. Because I think that's the level we all want to be on we can we can we can operate in a capacity where we get these complaints. You know, worked on within 60 days which is the charter says but then then there's another 30 days there which is 90 days but I believe what cooperate with Chief for fuel. Well, he just mentioned
that that that would raise
the expectation of this board to where we should want to be you know, going for thinking of the future. And we didn't have that report. A few years ago when we asked the question was raised at the table, and so I'm glad that you were able to Chief Warfield. was able to, you know, you know, step in and get the work right away and make that assessment. And so we need we need to be where chief Warfield just mentioned 3435 individuals over there I do have a concern about the deputy because the deputy positions was something that is right down. That is board a couple of times a couple of different times but what if it was a chief of staff. Person, Chief Warfield that's the 35th person.
Do the chair and don't want to necessarily get into the semantics. Yes, all the title of the position. However there needs to be a staff person there of senior level that is able to provide continuity in between changes in within the chief investigator. I won't be there forever. And when I do leave, I want to make sure that there's continuity, that the things that have already been accomplished and the path that we're moving in continues because there's a senior level administrator whether you call them Chief of Staff, whether you call them deputy and on most departments in the city. For instance, if you look at the Ombudsman's department, they have a deputy and that Deputy forms or performs that type of duty to make sure that there is continuity of transition for the head position. So you can call it whatever you want to but I think the continuity of transition and moving forward is what's most important. Thank you
Mister Mister through freeze we're your office be able to look and see how that will look on the budget and perhaps this budget can go back before council I don't know what the timeframe is to negotiate. You know, raising it even more as we have more investigators over there and a half the size team that Chief Warfield likes for OCI to the chair.
Commissioner Byrne, thank you for asking that question. And it's been through the partnership of Secretary Brown. Chief Investigator Warfield those numbers are exactly what we're working on right now. It is a bit of a moving target as we consider that some of these are union negotiated salaries and so we're anticipating the salaries to come up moving into next year. But with this consideration and with these numbers that we've been working very hard on that the budget office is absolutely working on that.
Thank you. CHAIRPERSON.
Yes. recognized.
Thank you. Good report on Drew. Just really one quick question. Where are we on hiring hiring a policy administrator for the board? Because I'm losing my mind doing 10 things
through the chair. It is in the process of being posted. A BLP staff member Jasmine just asked me about this inquiring I think on your behalf commissioned Bernard that. That the the the official title is executive manager of policy. It's an in process of being posted and and through that process. Resumes will be collected. Interviews will be conducted very soon here. But it i i agree it has been too long. The world needs to be filled both on both on the budget standpoint of we need to be spending the dollars that have been budgeted as well as the work that needs to be done.
Thank you to the chair.
One final question for the fiscal manager Mr. Burton, Mr. Mr. Drew fees do you feel that that that your office could use additional staff person we like assistant or or something of that nature?
Through the Chair, I would say not at this time.
Praise the Lord.
Madam Chair, can I expand on a question? Go ahead. I do believe that the policy division need an extra person. Their work is overwhelmed when policies are coming in to fall for one person to handle that.
Commissioner words is do you have that posted vessel right. That'd be posted policy through the chair.
I think what Secretary Brown is saying is that on the policy side, currently we have now one that role needs to be filled the executive manager policy in addition to that what is not currently budget budgeted is an a policy assistant. The the amount of work on the budget side, I think is is handled well with one person on the policy side that work eagerly needs to be worked on. And there is almost a backlog of policy work that has been built up and so I don't want to speak for him. But what Secretary Brown is saying is that I think there does need to be assistant on the executive manager of policy side.
So you say me too people on the policy side on the policy side, and are we budgeted for that?
Through the chair right now we're budgeted for one moving into next year. Through the negotiations that are happening right now with with the City Council. We are hoping to get another position budgeted so
that's something feature something futuristic. So right now as far as it relates to the policy manager that will be posted very soon right
through here this already listened to would the position has to go through a process. Okay. It's already been put into Neoga. Okay, there's four people who have still approve it, in order for it to get posted. Currently, we'll keep an eye on the approval process. But as we speak, that position has been put into Neoga which is the HR system for the city.
Okay, through the Chair. Yes.
In regards to the policy manager position, I've yet to come forth with a motion on that one. But the I advantage from that supporting with the board secretary vacancy is also willing and prepared to support with filling the vacancy of the policy manager as well. So we can entertain that, or we can post but I'm not prepared to make any kind of motion right now. And there are additional details that need to happen as well. So I'm just putting that out there for awareness more than anything else
through the Chair. Yeah, um, you know, I would like to see that happen sooner than later and then also, as it relates to, you know, going to a search firm for that particular position. I don't think I'll be in favor of that. And at I believe that we could post that position just like we post all the positions, so that we can be able to take a look at these resumes
to the chair, Commissioner burden question for Mr. Robert Brown. Mr. Brown is the board attorney is present today.
No, she's on vacation.
He's on vacation. Okay. The Gouda chair. You know, this board is desperately in need of our attorney. We need someone who's gone to you know, is going to really care about this board, but also care about the residents of Detroit, Detroit traders, that you know, that comes to the board. There's often times over the years that this board has needed a mediate a pan or something and with not having a board attorney present at every meeting. It really set the board back further behind when it fires in regards to getting immediate opinion on something. I do recall when an attorney Linda Barnard, who happens to be our fellow Commissioner when she still had Mississippi attorney but when she was our attorney to the board, Commissioner Bernard she often gave a legal opinion. You know, you know, immediately we didn't have to wait for a legal opinion for something in order for the board to do his business or, you know, or, and so, that's a disadvantage that that we are in right now compared to like city council or to county commissioners or or other government boards and bodies. They are in a position where they can get immediate, immediate opinion we are at a disadvantage. And so I like I guess, make a motion that for for the board to pose the legal attorney position. Whenever they do like for that to go before the policy I mean, at the policy but the personnel and training but I like to make a motion that we do post that and that you know in that personnel and training committee, you know, review that and, and and because we need attorney at this time and so I don't know if any commissioners feel that way or light to two second motion at this time that we post, the board attorneys position.
So your motion is
for the board for the board to pose the board attorneys position the attorney to the board are forced to post that position. Second.
being discussed is the
is there any discussion on the motion matters like the motion
look? Sorry it is
so the motion is that you would like to pose? Yes. Secretary position?
No not to Secretary position board attorney
the board. Board attorney position? Yes. And there is a second by B is there any discussion?
Well, currently we we have an attorney and you no doubt we we're not. We don't have we have an attorney. And as long as you have an attorney you know so an effective attorney.
Ma'am, to go ahead. We have an attorney out of the office of Corporation Counsel many times the interests of the board are in opposition to that quite frankly of Corporation Counsel, that attorney works for us quote part time and she's was only going to be an attorney for nine months. Our Chairperson would need to be here. He brokered this deal because we hadn't had an attorney for so long. And I believe that that nine months is going to be up pretty shortly. So therefore it is appropriate for us to advertise for our own full time attorney which the board has always had their own lawyer sitting upstairs in the office so you can go ask questions to and who has met whose attendance and board minute meetings is mandatory. So it's it for me it's a no brainer but it's up to the board of course, Commissioner Bill.
We have already discussed this issue in detail about the attorney to the board. And we reach agreement with the Cooperation Council that they are our attorney at a record regardless of what you have opinion pump in house, and so we don't need to revisit it. We have an understanding of that process.
May I respond? The Chief of Police has a legal department that costs $1.4 million a year. His Corporation Counsel is Mr. Ha every major department in the city of Detroit has his own in house lawyers we had one traditionally for years. We don't now, all of the the motion was simply for us to have our own in house attorney. Like other major, if you will thought leaders and progressive departments in the city. Yep, that's all
through the chair. Since we still on discussion, Commissioner Bart So Madam Chair. I know you just recently arrived to the board. But and I just wanted to talk a little bit more about the history and I will be as concise as possible. The board has 50 years of police oversight here in Detroit. The Border Police Commission has always had its own attorney and house attorney. And since I arrived here a little over a decade ago on this board I was the youngest police commissioner in country and when I arrived here, we had we had our attorney. We also we had Leah soubry who happens to be judge Leah Sabri was the honorable attorney to this board, and now she's happens to be our honorable Judge.
Great Leader.
Right hear from the border police commissioners. We also had another great leader attorney on the
board since I've been here, Jimmy wired. But then we also had another great leader and attorney who won three cases and the Michigan Supreme Court the first woman to do so to have a master's in law from the University of Pennsylvania and always given the board a legal opinion whenever a legal opinion was raised. Now these individuals are great attorneys ours their experiences hit concerning the board. The board's business grade attorneys that we have always had the one a decade a little over a decade that I've been here. The board has always had his own attorney attorney never was just assigned to us. But we want someone who wants to be here who has a stomach for the job to help the board. Move along when it comes to providing a legal opinion. A legal opinion is something that this board ought to rely on. Especially when we have closed door hearings, closed door sessions. We should have our attorney that represents this board in those closed door sessions. Commissioners is one thing we take notes as another thing when we hear the various conversations and the various arguments, but we don't walk out of a closed door session without having a legal opinion from our licensed attorney that can really direct this board and the path that we should go. Thank you Commissioner. Thank you chair. Commissioner Carter. At this time I think that the motion is out of order. In that we have an attorney Michael there is no vacancy at this time. So we can't post something that there is no vacancy. And there's no pending vacancy on a border for point of information with us. Excuse me, excuse me. So at this time, I'll call for the question if we must take a vote. And Commissioner Hernandez. Motion has to be seconded. She made a motion call for the question. There needs to be a second order for that second at this last one that was second. This second. She's non debatable motion. Tell them photos on for the motion to call for the question ends debate is non debatable. So you don't ask if there's any debate, you go immediately to the vote. Roll call vote. Roll call for those in favor of calling the question. You're not voting on the motion now voted on the motion to end debate. Call the question. Thank you. Okay, the motion to end the debate. Yes, ma'am. Chairperson Smith. Yes. Commissioner Bernard. Yes. Listen and bail. Yes. Mr. Burton? No. Mr. Carter for the in the debate, Madam Yes. Mr. Hernandez? Yes. Mr. Woods, yes. But I'm sure there was six yes and one No. Today emotionally immediately go to the motion which is to post the position for an attorney. Or more debate. Okay. Okay, so we have one more debate. No more debate voting on the motion, which was to post a position for the attorney you can't debate anymore. You just adapted a motion to in debate. So we're voting on the motion to post the position posting position for the attorney? Yes. All those in favor. All those in favor? Roll call vote. Madam Chair. Roll call please. All those Mr. Mr. Brown. It doesn't require a roll call. No, it doesn't it. But you can certainly do one Madam Chair if you feel the outcome may be on. Well, I just requested because the commissioner just asked for a roll call. So to please him. We'll do a roll call. Okay. Thank you. Commissioner Smith. Chairperson Smith. Now the person I mean commission for not absolutely yes. We can fail. No. Mr. Burton? Yes. Mr. McArthur. Commission Hernandez now. Mr. The woods No. was two years votes and five no votes? Seven EFR. No votes. Thank you. So that motion has failed. Madam Chair. Commissioner Bill, I just want to factual that the two great attorneys that he mentioned Commissioner Byrd. We fire both of those great attorneys. Thank you, Commissioner. We're moving on. That's inaccurate. That's not totally true. That's not true. Okay, thank you, Mr. Burton. We're moving forward and had to spend hundreds of 1000s of dollars. So if he was if he was correct, he would have won the lawsuit. Okay, thank you, Commissioner. We're moving forward to Mr. Brown and through the chair. Your report attorney Linda Barnard hired me was one of the best attorneys that she also could have sued for hundreds of 1000s of dollars, but she didn't. And she and with this board never taken a motion to have attorney Linda Banagher or anybody else or anyone else. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Basco point of Information Commissioner. Mr. Brown, the all three of these were great attorneys. For this board. I'm sure you have to close down FY Bucha report. I'm sorry. Close. Close out the budget. Oh, I'm sorry, Mr. Freeze you were standing there for a very long time. So thank you for your report. And thank you for the information and we're moving forward. Thank you. Brown, as we move forward to you, there's several incoming and I won't go through all of them because of time. But a couple of them we have to administrative leave without pay that came in to date from the chief office along with a the facial recognition policy that they just submitted as well. That was given the presentation last week and Madam Chair, I'll stop there. Thank you, Mr. Brown. During the announcements, Madam Chair, the next bill PC community meeting is Thursday, April 11 2024 6:30pm. With the night present hosting at Fred I mean for resource and Engagement Center that addresses 15491 MADELINE Street, Detroit, Michigan 42 05. And then the following community community meeting Thursday, May 9 2024 at 6:30pm with the eighth precinct hosting, and the location is forthcoming. And Madam Chair monthly committee meetings as of April 2020, for policy committee, Tuesday, April 16 2024 at 5pm Citizen complaint committee me Tuesday, April 23 2024, at 5pm. And also again, the policy committee meeting will be Tuesday, April 30. At 5pm And Madam Chair, all those committees can be is located here at Detroit Public Safety headquarters. You know, so can be viewed on his own. Thanks. Thank you, Mr. Mara. So we're now moving on to new business. New Business Center chairperson I'd like to move I'd like to respond to the concerns of our community specifically with the with regard to the Tanisha Coleman. State police report. I'd like to request that the chief that that Deputy Chief Haynes provide a copy of that report from the state police to this body. The gentleman that calls and frequently has raised this. I think it's important, it's the state police report. If you can provide that to us. I would appreciate that. So yeah. I will take that back. I will take that request back to the Office of the Chief. Thank you. Let us know at the next meeting. Thank you yes to the charity chief Haynes to the chair for new business. You know many of our Detroit residents in the city of Detroit has called for a durable and sustained ceasefire in Gaza. Many of our Detroit residents feel that we need to pass a resolution from this honorable board in support of the Free Free Palestine and so this so I'm like to make a motion at this time. On behalf of our Detroit residents who's been very vocal in these meetings that we saw I move that we passed a ceasefire surveillance resolution that was that was introduced to this to this board. This is a second family No, then I suggest a friendly amendment to the chair. Language is with the attorney right now. So we need to wait for the attorney to draft the language for the motion for the resolution with regards to the ceasefire. Resolution before we vote on anything else to the right, Commissioner that that resolution was given to the attorney that my heart to look over a residence. She came back with us to the chair, the resident was there a second to that motion? Were there actually yes. Commissioner Bernards second that No,
I was I was asking for a point of clarification because I thought that the Board should draft his own resolution regarding the ceasefire and the surveillance and making use your motion as a base for that
to second and last week and we before I'll
say I'm sure it was our second motion is not before the board
is not before the board and I remember you said that there was not to just second it. There was not a resolution that it was resolved because it didn't I guess my attorney had to look at this second.
She just second and and the board has seen this resolution,
this person that was there. Discussion.
Oh, you had to do
it. properties. If the motion has been properly seconded, then you need to state what the motion is and then open up the floor for debate.
So your motion. Okay,
so should I read the resolution? No. Okay. So the resolution is calling for a ceasefire and surveillance resolution in Gaza. So it was it was a resolution that was passed. What is your motion? For the board to approve the ceasefire and surveillance resolution?
So we asked me that this motion is for the Board to approve the ceasefire resolution for ceasefire in Gaza is there a ceasefire and surveillance and surveillance
in Gaza
through the through the chair once you say
it, it was second it properly seconded by Commissioner for discussion. Mr. Hernandez,
we thank you. You stated NGC second. Are you open?
Are there any discussion? Commissioner Hernandez,
thank you so much. I think it's ridiculously premature given that we have a motion that was provided by the commissioner that's under review by our attorney. I think it's entirely premature for us to even be in a position to vote. I know that the outcome of this vote is not reflective of our stance, and I want to make that entirely clear for the public. And for anyone in the media that might be here. It's completely irresponsible to even suggest that we present a motion when there's work behind the scenes going on. So I ask that we actually table and I'll make a motion that we table this for two weeks. Until we have that response from the board attorney.
Okay, Madam Chair. Yes. Was there a motion to refer the resolution to the lawyer? Yes. If there was a motion to refer the resolution to the attorney, then this current motion is not an order because the board has referred this matter to the attorney. And so unless you want to resend the motion to refer to the attorney, you cannot make a motion that is essentially hijacking the motion you made last week. That would not be in order. Now, if the board has changed his mind about referring it to the attorney than the board can resend the motion to refer to the attorney and then vote on this motion. But that the motion to refer to the attorney means that you have asked for an opinion and that matter is still under the control of the board. But you can't have both motions.
And we did send it off for her to look at
Madam Chair. You could rule that the motion is out of order and we can move on okay.
The mission was to the chair was
one quick for point of
information. What have not been waiting list or resolution
emailed to the attorney was it email, when was it emailed? What day what time? This is information that we need? To know the point of information. Also,
look at the
attendance let's look at her attendance when you are out of order. legal opinions and what have She haven't been able to give a legal opinion for the board.
Is it out of order actually,
it's out of order. Okay.
So so so if it's out of order, it's out of
order. It's not a vote award for point of information, orders.
Recognize to even speak.
There has to be respect and decorum here. I mean, I understand what you commissioner, do the chair commission burden I know what you're trying to get two is all about decorum. It's all about
you and I understand your passion. I'm not against what you're trying to do, but please respect me. I understand what you're saying. We have had this board. We had the resolution. The resolution was sent to the attorney the attorney is not
here to cheer please have some class and please have some respect for a senior statesman on this board. You know it's you to have clan Oh no. This this resolution can be brought up it can be brought up each week under new business I like to I like and I still like to ceasefire resolution call into power for ceasefire resolution and Free Free Palestine free free
power like to make a motion to censor commission of burden for his disrespect and its disregard of the process. So I'm making a motion that we censor Commissioner Willie Burton for his utter disrespect and disregard of the process over talking. And there's been his his posture and his demeanor is negative. And it's terrible. And it's an affront to the citizens of the city of Detroit. And so I accept his board I'd make a motion that we censor him.
Second,
we have a motion to censor Commissioner Willie Burton. Is there a second second?
Madam Chair?
Is there a new discussion?
Yes. First of all, I'm not sure that our bylaws have looked at him give us anyone the right to censor does elected members of the board No, I'm not I'm not. We'd have to refer to all you'd have to reference that, that bylaw that and also find out what percentage of a vote you would need to do that. Okay. So I think, I guess to me, you have to table that motion at that point because I don't know the rules. And I don't think anyone I know Robert's Rules gives you the right to censor, and I appreciate, but I don't know what our bylaws say about last
read chairing chairing this meeting. You know, I do demand respect I respect each and every commissioner. All of my colleagues and you timely just continue to disrespect me. I address you in appropriate manner, but you overtalk Me and it because you feel that you are the senior person of this board or you may feel that you know more than me you feel that there's a reason of disrespect towards
me. We don't have Madam Chairperson.
Madam chair on to article 10 of the VO PC bylaws states the following. Once the chairperson declares a breach of order, a penalty may be imposed by a majority vote to require the non compliant board member
to leave. We don't have a quorum anymore.
Well, you don't have a quorum, so you can't vote on anything.
You motion to
adjourn. Motion for a second
to pronounce the meeting. Meeting is adjourned. Thank you