Board of Police Commissioners (pre closed sessions)
7:01PM May 16, 2024
Speakers:
Commissioner Banks
Commissioner Bernard
Chairperson QuanTez Pressley
Keywords:
detroit
policy
officers
commissioner
chair
quorum
call
meeting
report
victim
suspect
homicide
police officers
southfield
detectives
board
vehicle
citizens
facial recognition
people
US District Two, so reasonable person this before.
This is a Burton. Mr. Carter. This is a more excellent excuse after Mr. Hernandez. Mr. Work, President.
alright with that we do indeed have a quorum will now move on to the approval of the May 16 2024. Agenda.
Did anyone acknowledge Commissioner banks?
Yes, you were acknowledged that you were walking in. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Mr. Chair, no problem at all. Sorry. have you here moving on to the will of the May 16 2024. Agenda. I'm going to ask that we amend this agenda, noting that we have several closed sessions today. I'm going to ask if it is okay with the board that we push the Human Resources Bureau presentation as well as the BLDC budget actuals to next week. Is there any objection I'll move payments. Okay. So Hearing no objection again, we will approve the the chair entertain a motion to approve the agenda for May 16 2024. With that change you don't need
the motion is to postpone that push but should be postponed to next day. So thank you, Mr. Chair,
first, entertain a motion to postpone the Human Resources Bureau and be LPC budget actuals to next week. So move probably moving to second all those in favor, please signify by saying aye. All those opposed, no. The eyes have it and so now we will move on to the approval of the May 16 2024 agenda with that amendment. Is there any objection? Hearing none, the agenda is approved. And next we'll move on to the approval of the minutes for May 9 2024. Is there any objection to the approval of the minutes Hearing none the minutes are approved. We now move on to the introduction of the LPC staff Chief of Police elected officials representatives and community leaders by acting secretary Brown.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chair currently we have Palminteri Dr. Francis Jackson, Chief investigative Warfield, Attorney Stephanie LaBelle, Miss Candace Hayes, Miss Johnson Underwood, Miss Jasmine Taylor, Miss Teresa blossom, interim advisor investigator Elgin Murphy, supervise investigator as the Cromwell investigator Ellen count DPD, HR director Katrina patello. Mr. Giuffre Mr. Dan Handyside Media Services doing a video saw the queen is doing the audio Sydney and for the cheapest Deputy Chief Margulis elected officials they are Miss Murray overall off the State Representative Charles Carter is the Don Davis. Office of commercial Councilman red Doha the third.
And that's it, Mr. Chair.
Right. Thank you. We're grateful for everyone's attendance at today's meeting. Next we'll move on to the board of police commissioner's officers report. We have a resolution honoring Captain Brian Bowser, who is retiring a vice chair Liberty Smith will read that resolution into our archives.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. The resolution honoring Captain Ryan Bowser. Whereas Brian P Bowser was appointed to the Detroit Police Department on September 30 1996. Upon graduating from the Detroit Metropolitan Police Academy offers the bowser began his career at the eighth precinct. And whereas officer Bowser displayed tremendous knowledge and leadership skills as a police officer and was promoted to the rank of sergeant on October 27 2000. And Sergeant his assignments were the temporary St. and Western District in 2005. On October 20 2008, he was transferred to homicide section where he was an investigative Sergeant Team Leader of the city of Detroit homicide, July 2015. He was assigned to gang intelligence surveillance, and in August 2016 assigned to investigative operations West and whereas Sergeant Bowser was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on July 30 2018, and returned to homicide until May 2019, where he transferred ship on Task Force administration, April 1 2022. Lieutenant Bowser was appointed to captain and remained at the eighth precinct as a precinct captain. And whereas Captain Bowser was a deserving recipient of the following awards, chiefs Unit Award citations 2014 Ford fireworks award All Star game or Rosa Parks funeral award conclusion of consent award confinement judgment award for the Super Bowl award and other certificates of appreciation and whereas Captain Bowser has tirelessly served the Detroit Police Department, the citizens of Detroit and its neighboring communities for almost 26 years, he has served the Detroit Police Department and the citizens of the city of Detroit with loyalty, professionalism, integrity and dedication and is widely respected throughout the law enforcement community as the consummate professional now therefore be it resolved that the Detroit board of police commissioners speaking on behalf of the citizens of the great city of Detroit recognizes and honors the lifelong contributions and commitment to excellence and public service to Captain Brian P. Bowser. His display of courage and unwavering community spirit has improved the quality of life for the citizens of Detroit. We wish you the best and your future endeavors. We thank and congratulate you captain P browser.
The chair entertain the motion adopt this resolution into our archives. The mood board has been properly moved and seconded. Is there any discussion? Hearing no discussion? All those in favor, please signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed, no. The eyes have it that resolution is adopted. Now we'll move on to the chief of police report and DC bliss we'll make that presentation
Good afternoon. I'm going to start with the update on injured officers. We currently have no critically injured officers due to on duty injuries. Moving on to crime data. As of May 15 homicides we are down 22% non fatal shootings we are down to 27% robberies, we are down 29% Total Part One violent crime. We are down 12% carjacking, we are down 52% Our drag racing and drifting enforcement off for the weekend of May 10. Through may 12. We investigated 35 individuals. We had nine traffic stops. We issued three traffic citations. We investigated 15 vehicles we impounded eight of them and we issued six spectator tickets and we seized six cell phones. Moving on to mental health related calls for service. Overall for the past seven days, we had 98 mental not violent calls for service for a total of 80 were serviced. Mental violent armed we had 25 for calls for service and we serviced 22 of them. Mental violent not armed 124 calls and we service 205 suicide and progress calls we had 36 and we service 34 and suicide threat we had 61 and we serviced 53 for a grand total of 344 calls for service and we service 294 overall calls for service at this year to date in 2023. We had 5922 and currently we have 6249 service calls in 2023. Year to date, we had 505,281 and in 2024 we had 5476 overdose related calls in the last seven days. We had 190 calls for service and we service to 130 overall calls for service year to date in 2023 we had 2595 Currently we have 2559 overall service calls in 2023 year to date, we had 1941 and 2024 1832 significant incidents number one a non fatal shooting on Thursday, May 9 at 12:10am. Officers were dispatched to 9300 block of VanDyke to investigate a non fatal shooting. officers arrived at the scene and observed the victim suffering from a gunshot wound to the back. Medic 14 transported the victim to Detroit receiving hospital where the victim was listed in stable condition. The victim stated he was shot in the house in the 220 1000 block of Geneva and that after the shooting he was placed in a vehicle and dropped off in the street at Van Dyck and neth detectives from the 12 precinct shooting team were notified and responded to the scene. Officers Check the area and we're not successful in locating a crime scene. Detectives re interviewed the victim who was unable to provide any additional information. Detectives are now attempting to determine the identification of the suspect and the circumstances surrounding the incident. Detectives are asking anyone with additional information regarding this incident to contact Crimestoppers at one 800 Speak up or Detroit rewards.tv incident number two double non fatal shooting of a 14 and 17 year old victims on Friday, May 10. At 9:18pm officers were dispatched to the 500 block of West Street to investigate a double non fatal shooting. officers arrived at the scene and observe the victims at Erskine and Beaubien before treated by medics. victim number one a 14 year old male received one gunshot wound to the left leg. He was transported to Children's Hospital by Medicaid and listed in stable condition. victim number two, a 17 year old male was shot in the right index finger. He was transported to Children's Hospital and listed in stable condition. Both victims stated they were walking in the area of 500 West Street in the Brewster homes when someone in a white SUV started firing shots at them. Both victims were shot as they ran away from the SUV. The officers from the seventh precinct preserve the scene and notify detectives from the seventh precinct shooting team. Detectives determined that individuals driving the white Dodge Durango were chasing the victims firing shots at the suspects from a pistol that appeared to be firing like an automatic weapon. The vehicle was last seen driving east on mac then otter ay ay 75 service drive at a high rate of speed. The incident is still under investigation. Detectives are asking anyone with additional information regarding this incident. To contact Crimestoppers at one 800 SpeakUp or Detroit rewards TV. Critical vehicle accident police pursuit on Monday, May 13 at 8:31pm officers were dispatched to the 19,000 block of James cousins to assist the Southfield police department with a critical accident resulting from a police pursuit. officers arrived on the scene and learned that Southfield police were pursuing a white 2020 Chevy Blazer occupied by suspect wanted for homicide. During the vehicle pursuit. The wounded vehicle disregarded a red light while traveling south on the lodge service drive at outer drive. The white Chevy Blazer then struck a 2023 Gray Kia traveling east on West outer drive. After the incident, the driver of the white Chevy Blazer exited the vehicle and began to flee. Southfield officers on foot. South hood officers apprehended him after a short foot chase. The suspect received minor cuts from the accident and was arrested at the scene by Southfield PD. The homicide suspect was in the passenger seat at the time of the accident. He suffered a broken right arm and was arrested at the scene by Southfield PD. Two additional passengers in the white blazer were transported to Sinai Grace hospital by medics and were listed in temporary serious condition with minor injuries. The driver of the 2023 grey Kia suffered minor injuries and was transported to Sinai Grace hospital by medics and listed in temporary serious condition. The passenger of the gray Kia was ejected from the vehicle and suffered a punctured lung. Because victim was transported to Sinai Grace hospital and listed in critical condition. Officers from the 12th precinct preserve the scene and detectives from the fatal squad were notified. Detectives determined that Southfield police were attempting to conduct a traffic stop of the vehicle to investigate the passenger who was wanted for homicide out of Southfield, Michigan. The vehicle drove away from Southfield police at a high rate. of speed south on the lodge service drive, causing the vehicle accident as described. Detectives from the fatal squad are preparing a warrant to be submitted to the Wayne County prosecutor's office for review.
Incident Number Four non fatal shooting on Sunday, May 12. At 1:53pm officers were dispatched to the 10,000 block of Nadel to investigate a non fatal shooting. officers arrived on the scene and observed the victim suffering from several gunshot wounds. Officers provided medical aid until medic 13 arrived at the scene. Medics transported the victim to ascension St. John Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition. witnesses stated that the suspect who shot the victim was still in the area and that he was in the house across the street. Witnesses also reported hearing the victim and suspect arguing and then hearing several shots fired. Witnesses further reported seeing both the victim and the suspect with handguns before the shooting. The suspect then walked outside to the officers and made an excited utterances regarding the shooting. Officers at the scene arrested the suspect and transported him to the Detroit detention center without further incident. Officers from the fifth precinct preserve the scene and detectives from the fifth precinct detective unit were notified. Detectives determined that the victim and suspect were neighbors who had a long history of arguing about the suspect parking vehicles in the vacant lot next to the victim's home. On Monday, May 13 Detectives submitted a warrant to the Wayne County prosecutor's office for review. The war is still being reviewed. Incident Number Five fatal shooting on Sunday, May 12. At 1:12am officers were dispatched to the 8200 block of GreenView to investigate a fatal shooting. officers arrived at the scene and observed the victim in the passenger seat of a 2022 Ford Edge suffering from a gunshot wound to the left thigh. The victim was transported to Beaumont Hospital by medic 54 where he was pronounced deceased. witnesses at the scene stated that the suspect was inside the hall. Officers secured the house and ordered the suspect to come out the suspect came out of the home and was arrested by officers. Officers from the eighth precinct preserve the scene and detectives from the homicide section were notified detective detectives determined that the victim and suspect were arguing before the shooting the victim guide into the blackboard to leave the location and was shot by the suspect. A warrant was submitted to the Wayne County prosecutor's office for review. The warrant was signed and on Tuesday, May 14. The suspect was arraigned in 36. District Court on the following charges homicide murder second degree weapons felony firearm. The suspect is being held at the Wayne County jail without bond. Incident Number Six fatal vehicle accident police pursuit on Wednesday, May 15 at 12:35pm officers were dispatched to the 1800 block of East outer drive to assist the Warren Police Department on a fatal accident resulting from a police pursuit. officers arrived on the scene and learned that warrant police were chasing a black 2011 Chevy Malibu when the vehicle lost control and the suspect was ejected from the vehicle. The suspect was observed lying facedown on the sidewalk suffering from multiple injuries. Medic 56 arrived at scene and pronounced the suspect deceased officers from the 11th precinct preserve the scene and detectives from Homicide and fatal squad were notified. Detectives determinate warrant police attempted to conduct a traffic stop with a vehicle at East eight mile and Sherwood when the vehicle took off at a high rate of speed toward East outer and lost control causing the vehicle accident on on a positive note. boater safety and education course. On Friday, May 17 from 9am to five o'clock pm in the Schuyler room at public safety headquarters. Our Harbormaster unit and the Detroit Coast Guard will hold an educational boater safety course. Participants will receive a boater safety card and certificate after completing the program. Annual bowling fundraiser on Saturday May 18. From one o'clock pm to five o'clock PM. The Public Safety Foundation is holding its annual DPD bowling fundraiser at Maryville bowling center in Lavonia. proceeds will go towards our community outreach programs. Finally, National Police Week events. Our precincts are holding several events for National Police Week. information regarding the events is available on each precincts. Facebook page. That concludes my report out.
Thank you. Are there any questions or comments? Commissioner Bernard?
Yes, Deputy Chief. You there were two incidents that that you reviewed that involved a chase in Detroit. My officers that were not Detroit officers that were in from the suburbs, both Southfield and you said Warren, I am in the city of Detroit. We have a no Chase policy. We don't do that. So how come they're allowed to do that in Detroit
through the chair. So first, it's not that the Detroit Police and doesn't have has a no Chase policy. We just have certain stipulation that we allow our members to pursue a vehicle so that it's it's not a no chase in certain instances we can but it's not a blanket policy that you can't chase period.
It's my understanding that high speed chases are not allowed in Detroit and I'm proud of that, quite frankly. So my question again is how come Southfield can come into Detroit? And how can Warren police and come into Detroit and do it and lives are lost?
So through the chair so we we don't regulate the policies of Southfield PD or Warren PD. And if they're in pursuit for a serious felony or whatever their policy allows. They can can they can pursue. We can't stop them at the city limits and say well, you fall under our policies. Whatever they're using them for, as long as it's it is in within their jurisdiction that they can continue and be in hot pursuit. So they are allowed to go into the city of Detroit just like they're allowed to continue to pursue and go into the city of Ann Arbor or or or or however they they would like to however long they'd like to continue that pursuit. But we can't stop them and say, Well, you you can't pursuit in here.
I think you can. I think we can do that though to through an understanding or an agreement with our sister communities. Then we can also agree not to pursue people within their jurisdiction. Obviously, this is they they obviously either are not good drivers or these were very, very precarious, a very, very precarious situation. Our citizens could have been badly hurt and they weren't fired up showed they were Detroiters that you say were ultimately arrested. I understand that they were in a commission of a crime, but it puts everybody at risk. And that's not acceptable. And I wish to raise the issue with the chief for me or I'll raise it with him. Because we need to have some kind of understanding that we don't have Wyatt Earp type activity in Detroit. They may do that in their city, but we don't do that are allowed in our city. So I want to talk to him you can talk to him. I'll call him myself. But that's very disturbing to me. There was a lot of injuries and even a death, as you said. So this is a problem. Thank you.
Commissioner Hernandez.
Thank you. I don't know if my mic is actually working or not. So you can hear yes. I was actually interested in asking a very similar question to Commissioner that Commissioner Bernard just asked. I think I might be on the opposite side of that. That thought process just we might unintentionally create the the thought process that Detroit might be a haven for those who who are allegedly wrongdoing to come into our city and hide potentially because they know that outside agencies are just going to cut pursuit so I think it's worth the you know, bringing up the topic and having that conversation. I would just suggest that there's a collective mindset that might be able to have that discussion, including the OPC. And then just again, possibly solution but I would be concerned that we would start bringing in that kind of of attention to our city.
Any further questions? In that same vein, the two suits were the infractions, those that would have allowed pursuits headed started in Detroit.
Through the Chair, it's my understanding they're both homicides, their homicide suspects. So those are violent felonies.
And so according to our policy in Detroit, I just want to be clear as a commissioner Bernard characterized it, those would still be incidences where DPD would pursue an individual if they were alleged to have committed a homicide
through the chair, so for one of them it was a homicide for the second one it was a traffic stop that they just continued their their pursuit. Okay,
so we don't do traffic stops. But homicides, you homicides
for a violent felony? Yes. But for our regular traffic. No, we do not. Ban
permissioning been very clear for some time because of the tremendous liability that Detroit has had in the past legally from litigation involving a hot pursuit that we weren't doing it. I've heard the chief said he says he was the ESA we can find them. They have helicopters, I got all kinds of stuff that you know, we can find the person. We don't have to pursue them like that at that time, because and because of the issues that we've had in Detroit in the past, and of course you're familiar with them. Since you've been here a while. So I don't understand but we do need some clarification and only
thing we're emphasizing here is that you're correct when it comes to non violent traffic violations that the chief is suggesting we don't do pursuits but if there is a person who again who's alleged commit a homicide then obviously on the discretion of the officers, there's some expectation that we keep pursuit of those. And that's
not my understanding, Mr. Chairman, but you can find we can both find out
DC bliss just communicated that and we can get clarification on that matter, because somebody's
already dead and why should I be dead because that person is dead because you're pursuing them now? Well, you
don't know whether or not that individual is done with their acts of violence.
Yeah, but I'm an innocent person. So why should I be subjected to people going 80 miles an hour? You know, while you're trying to get somebody you can get them you're gonna get them. We're gonna get them no question about that. Well,
we'll we'll go on that conversation to get further clarity from DPD. Any further questions for the chief? Hearing none again, thank you for your report. At this time, we will now move to oral communication.
Good afternoon. Mr. Chair, have seven speakers. Our first speaker will be Mr. Anita Williams, then Miss Bernice Smith. And then Dr. Gordon.
Hello, everyone. Hello. I realized last week the reason that police officers are covering up my right is because they are involved in this the man that raised me, like I said last week, they are giving out gift cards, Door Dash and cash out. The man who raised me have received a gift card for $200. And I came to OCI to report this to see it's been going on happened the first year it's five months. So when police officers are involved in covering up my rate, that's conspiracy you conspire to cover up anything that's illegal with conspiracy. And how can you be a police officer with a badge and took an oath and you participate in illegal activities like this? I've been speaking about this for quite some time. And I'm going to continue to speak about it into somebody do something about it. So at this time, I can understand how a woman can get right in this okay. You tell him he is okay. I live in a shelter. Wise drones all over the shelter where I stay in helicopters flying all over. If your house is in the water, you don't have to get it clean. So if you can't clean it up, you should burn it down at the end of the day like I'll see I'm not gonna let this continue on like this in you all do not do your job. We say here we listen to all this stuff like homie young made this because of what the police officers were doing illegal not to hear all these reports. I had to see here almost two weeks ago when you guys was doing interviews, that's not acceptable. Period when my like my body was violated and police officers are given people give cars and DoorDash the keeper I owe me
next Speaker Good
afternoon to my commissioners. Good afternoon. I did some investigating after the mayor's speech last month. And in particular, it was in my son's neighborhood that I had to do some investigating. I had talked to Commander, deputy chief in regards to it because I don't want to put it public as it's in regards to a dope house. So we're going to take care of it. And also the trucks, trucks that are parked in sideways, the yard and so forth. So we're going to do that. In the meantime, I want all of you to know I'm going to be 92 next week. Good lord has seen to it that I have lived this long and I'm very grateful. And I I just want most of you to live a good life like I tried to live. I'm not perfect, but I just want you all to know that is good and that he will take care of you. As long as you be decent and respectful. I cannot understand why we do have the question about the pursuit. This is our city and the fact that they are coming into our city. When you see the race coming through or anything you get the heck out of the way. Don't stand and look and see the police coming through. You get out the way that's what I would do. And I would think people will do the same thing. Also, we have a family dinner every Sunday. And we'll it's one of these days. We would like for you to come and it's 10 of us my children are there and two of the the friends of my sons that went to school with them. We have a good discussion especially about the police department and my my commission here so I just want to let you know is very, very free. Is very furious because the back they get on me because I attend here and I bring the message back to them what we're doing here at our meetings and it's good, good. Good response. But I do want to let you know I am back favor of the police taking care of this matter for me. I think they were because we don't land no drug dealers in our neighborhood at least I was when I was there. So I thank you for your time and hope this will be taken care of Thank
you and happy birthday you II 92 years young. Yeah. Beautiful.
Hi, my name is Karen Gordon. And I've been down here and about a year ago, six months. About the seventh precinct. I've been trying to get an appointment to see the captain and the commander with no air I haven't been able to. I have had police reports that have not been filled out because detectives don't want to do their job. And they don't feel that they should have to fill out anything because I already have one then I have a limit. And then they tell me that when I show him a weapon when they come out. They tell me they can go on private property for the weapon that took my home and then I have video to show the war material of my property. Then the police tell me they can't arrest her because they wait no the shoot. So I need some clarity. What do the cops do? My home had been tore for two years and I haven't did nothing to retaliate on these people on both sides and across me and yet and still the police say did when they come out other than the call to them. My property is tore up I have a video of it. And then a police commander like an older woman down here. I'll know she here today and start at the head. The commander don't give a shit please. That's great. I'm a spray saying that's what when later. Anybody else owner gap paying customer can come so I can cuss Okay. Cops
can curse but they do curse and you're written up on every time okay?
Nothing happens or you get rolled up and net net. Come on now. I hadn't been hung up on by the police. But action question and and last year the seventh precinct. Well, selfless little love. He did try to help but they've moved him and arrested out too many of them are assholes. Oh that's so
it should time DC bliss. Did you have some of you want to say?
Yes ma'am. Ma'am, if you can give me your your contact information, I will make sure that you have a meeting and speak to the commander and the captain
told you know.
Well now you will have it.
word vomit.
All right. Thank you the chair our next public speaker Yes.
Because someone from OCR I talked to her she came to the border police commissioner Sweden. She shared her concerns. I think a member of our board should be able to
talk with that your request Commissioner Burton. Next public speaker
sir The next speaker will be Korean Crowley and after her Danny's cane and then we'll go into them. I mean, excuse me Minister Eric blunt then we'll go into zoom
I don't know how this really works. This is my first time. Can you speak the earliest? I don't know how this really works. I'm supposed to explain my situation or where
you have two minutes to share whatever it is that you would like to the commission that will receive it restart the clock for Yeah, no, thank God. Cheers discretion. All right ahead.
This is one of the applicants I thought she wanted to do public speaking. Oh, no.
Okay, so you're on later on for the agenda. Yeah, I have no problem
saying thank Mr. Boone. Administer blood. Excuse me.
Good afternoon board.
Good afternoon.
I'm chairperson Presley. I I hold you responsible for the corruption on this agenda. A resolution honoring a police officer. Police officers are not the board's employees. Why do we waste time honoring what's next dog pictures of flight attendants I don't know what. But yeah, we sit here and listen to not one not two but six reports of crime. Not a single word about police officer misconduct. And no Commissioner asked the head of the police department any questions about police officer misconduct is just extremely frustrating. Knowing that the risk management system has over 100 police officers that have been identified as highly probable of of perpetrating misconduct. Where is that discussion at all? And so with the HR report today, hopefully they do say something about the risk management system designed by the police department to detect police officers who have behavior that is indicative of future misconduct. Lastly, Rory gamble and Byron Ferguson have shown how to resign from this board. So anyone who is uncomfortable with the corruption on his board should have two good examples of how just to walk away Linda Barnard if if you choose to. I think it will be a good idea. I don't care who is a commissioner. I just want to get one.
Thank you. Commissioner Banagher.
I'm an outstanding Commissioner. While we're on the subject. It's unfortunate that you can't see that because you are obsessed with me for some reason. And that has been clear for more than a year. So please, do whatever you can. You may need medication I don't know what you need, but you need to do something in order. Point of order.
Let the record reflect that Commissioner Burton and Commissioner Carter are here to the chair. Yes, Commissioner burden, a call for one
of order and I also want to stay that
what is your point of order?
When the order was was what Commissioner Bernardo say was totally inappropriate to a Detroit resident who came and spoke during public comments, public comments is for our residents to come and share their concerns and a bore. I don't think we should be calling out. I'm referring to somebody that may you know saying that that person needs medication. That's up you know, that was definitely unappropriate from Commissioner Bernard to a resident.
Next public commenter,
Mr. Chairman, do you need to rule on the point of order?
It's it can be a point of contention, but I don't know how it delays our meeting. Commissioners have the opportunity to respond to public comment. Again, we hope that everyone would do so with a manner of decorum and respect.
Mr. Chair, we're going to be I'm sorry. Go right ahead. Mr. Chair, we're going into zoom. We have absentee ballot voter fraud. former Commissioner William Davis and our last speaker will be Scottie bone
absentee ballot
okay to prop premium, um, you just came up so can you hear me clearly? Yeah, go right ahead. Okay, got absentee ballot, voter fraud, international absentee ballot voter fraud happening here in the city of Detroit and in Detroit City curb lying and cheating. Law lying about giving every council member the mayor's office. In a law department. The findings are the allegations of absentee ballot voter fraud by anonymous citizen report. She hasn't given any council member to my knowledge now the report nor the law department nor to me is up. It's why she lied about that. She's on public record April to 25th NFL draft they learn about it on public record. They don't video has got a time stamp on it. And cheating in elections. Mary Lake Beckman doesn't have a ballot over the Department of Elections. She lives over in Germany she's overseas citizen is no appear to be no correspondence between the Department of election and Germany. And then they said the ballot they only send out one per person they sent the ballot for the one two a four two Sussex street and we got some immigrants living over there. Stand up gentlemen. They've been living there for five minutes. They don't even know who Marilyn Beckman is. And parliament of elections this is inside job. I oh well. Do we did a Department of Elections. Now that is when we gene AB Walker is over the department Nate know who entered the bogus information into the city's database. But everybody's sort of counsel seems square scared to act, the mayor's office they won't act. The law department won't accident Oh, it says it's out of their jurisdiction. Because it deals with voc matters computer data entry falls squarely within the Office of Inspector General's jurisdiction. false information bogus information in the city's database.
former Commissioner Davis
Oh, good afternoon. Can I be heard?
Yes, you can go right ahead.
Okay, I like to set up a synthetic is very bad form that I know mostly I wasn't there then. But in 2019. I was a police commissioner for district seven. One of my precincts District Six had to put the young police officer Sergeant Elaine Williams was shot five times and she died. And recently the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office or Office you know, they have a plea deal whether or a domestic partner is getting three years probation. I mean, that should be something that should call out to Alia. You know, that's so wrong on so many levels, you know, as some domestic partner killed the Detroit Police officer, a sergeant a young bright young lady had a bright future with kids and stuff and get probation, three years probation. You know, apparently we need to make sure that there are better investigations going on, even though this case happened in Garden City. Now, so thank you, I should mention something like that and bring it up. Also, I've been getting a number of complaints from reserved police officers the fact that the number of reserved police officers has been dropping, and they've been dropping mainly because they had been mistreated and talked down to by regular police officers. You know, we need to encourage people who wants to be reserve officers to be reserve officers. We need to encourage our regular officers to support them, don't talk down to them and encourage them because you know, it's better for the city tried to have some reserved police officers because we really need to have more officers on the street than what we do especially in the neighborhoods. I think, you know, that's something you have to be bringing up and pushing for the reserve officers to be treated better. Thank you. Thank you
Hi, um, okay, speak yet.
Yep, go right ahead.
Yeah, this is I'm Scotty Bowman, founder of Draco Detroit residents advancing civilian oversight. Um, first of all, I'd like to echo so you can insert a repetition, copy paste it. of Eric blunts Minister Eric once comments he's spot on. Secondly, um, and sort of on that note, we need to really get the backlog of cases caught up. I know that it's difficult. I think you need to hire as many investigators as you can to make sure it can happen. And make sure they're all on task because I know I have a case that's at least a year old and I haven't seen it resolved. They assume I'm not the only ones who are basically at least a year behind. Um, and then also in a more general sense of policy. Most recently you may have heard about an actress who incidentally played a person in the legal community on television but the actress is duck family dog was slaughtered on her front lawn and killer faces no consequences, just on a claim a fairly improbable claim of self defense. I think we need to have a policy that's clear and I fully believe in a person's right to self defense is a natural and legal right and that up to an including deadly force, but when deadly force is used, there needs to be some verification to make sure that it's what really happened or else everyone can get away with murder dress by claiming self defense every time they kill somebody and we certainly don't want that. So I think we really have to have strong policies about vetting all self defense claims, especially when a person uses deadly force. And have a nice afternoon.
Thank you. Alright, so those all of our public commenters we thank everyone for your comments. Again, noting that we did pass a motion to postpone two presentations to the board. We will now move to the report from our ACTING BOARD SECRETARY and incoming communications.
Mr. Chair, there's currently two incoming communication there in your binders that from there if you want me to go to announce, go right ahead. The next vo PC meeting is Thursday, May 23 3pm. Here at Detroit Public Safety headquarters. The next Bo PC community meeting will be Thursday June 13 at 630 premium, but the seven present hosting locations both come in the monthly scattered meeting for May community meeting for May 2024. Will be the citizen complaint be Tuesday, May 21 24. And Mr. Chair just let me make a note. Next week, personnel and training would be made on Wednesday. And I believe that date is May 23. I believe 20 sec. Okay. Okay.
Thank you so very much. Now we'll move on to unfinished business. Well, we have two committee reports. First, we'll begin with our citizens complaint committee report. By the chair of that committee. Commissioner banks.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. On behalf of the Board of police commissioners citizens complaint committee, please see the key updates from the committee meeting held on April 23 2024. For members committee chairperson Cedric banks Commissioner Smith, commissioning woods, attendees, Chief Investigator Jerome Warfield police community relations coordinator, Teresa blossom, ACTING BOARD SECRETARY Robert Brown, administrative assistant Candace Hayes, Lieutenant star Gonzalez, guest speakers, public commenters Mr. Edwards, report from chief investigator to Chief Investigator Jerome Warfield provided the update. current staffing at OCI includes two supervising investigators. One acting supervisor investigator for senior investigator and 13 investigators to new investigators have recently been on boarded and six investigator positions remain unfilled current case it ambulatory is as follows total 1868 cases 1479 And our backlog past 90 days and 389 current cases year to date complaints and allegations OCR has its process 524 citizens complaints and has recorded 1193 allegations of misconduct report on 220 23 Citizen complaint trends police community relations coordinator and Teresa Kalasa provided the following update a record number of 1742 complaints were filed with OCI and 2023 due to a record number of complaints. It is likely that there were a record number of allegations the George Floyd incident and 2020 and tie read nickels incident in 2023 is likely a contributing factor to the increase of in five complaints. Additionally, the public raised awareness on police brutality and how to file a complaint is likely to have contributed to the increase of complaints wingspan wing sweep is going to be pivotal and taking a critical look at data to get better understanding of citizens complaint the next citizen complaint committee committee meeting will be Tuesday, May 21 2024 or 5pm. Sincerely Cedric banks chairperson, committee.
Thank you. Are there any questions for that committee report? Hearing none, we will move on to our next committee report which is the policy committee report which is offered by the chair of that committee, a commissioner Bodnar.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The policy committee was held meeting was held on May 14, I was present commissioner was was present and Commissioner Burton. The other persons who actively participate in the committee that were also present were the Acting Secretary Robert Brown. Jasmine Taylor, administrative assistant Candace Hayes, administrative assistant, Miss Teresa blossom, police community relations coordinator, Deputy Chief Mark Lewis, who's present here today, professional developer of the professional development bureau. And Mr. Steven Lamoureux, I'm sorry I say it incorrectly it's French but it's he's he is the director of the crime data analytics. Captain Heather Cameron, Professor Rebecca Roboshot of Wayne State University Law School, Molly Manning Wayne State Law School graduate fellow and Mr. Ramey Woodward, the staff attorney at the ACLU together with Julia Khan, student attorney at the U of M school, and Mr. Lavon Davis, a council member. The there are three things or two things that are actually action items. Mr. Chairman that occurred. Steven Lama wrote regarding the facial recognition policy, which has been very important to the community and to everyone involved. Stephen Lama Rohit, we provided a background on how the revisions we made revisions to that policy, collaborating with ACLU and stated that the revision provided a broader context of rules for what happens after the facial recognition is completed. Chairperson Bernard open discussion for questions to Mr. Lamoreaux and Mr. Amos Woodward, also staff attorney at the ACLU. They shared that there was an act of collaboration in the development of the revision of the policy with DPD and with the law schools, Mr. Robert Williams who was falsely identified by facial recognition and was also involved and if the policy is adopted, it would be the best in the nation when it comes to regulating the use of facial recognition by police departments. Commissioner Barnard and Commissioner Woods voted and agreed to move the policy out of committee to the full board for review and approval. It will be in your pack and then in the next meeting packet for you for the Board to approve the policy. The second policy that was discussed was the eyewitness identification and lineups as we know, I witness identification. And lineups are the principal reason that cases are reversed and that people have been wrongfully arrested and incarcerated. So it's very important that we we find this policy, Captain Heather Cameron provided an introduction of the policy where Amy's Woodward, staff attorney at ACLU shared again that ACLU did collaborate on the revision of the policy and that the document does what it represents industry best practices in terms of double blind sequential, non suggestive practices. Julia agreed with Mr. wudu that the EU has worked closely with the ACLU on the policy and Mr. Williams in the revision process of the policy and it would be the best practice that's the second policy that you'll have next week. Third, this specification report on a surveillance van, the palace Deputy Chief Mark bliss provided a brief introduction to the specification report stating that it outlines the usage of the surveillance van and what DP do is doing with with it. DC bliss stated that DPD has always had surveillance fans and how does use what has not changed but they are updating the equipment in the van. There is language in the specification report that comes directly from the ordinance and this language cannot be changed as DPD as a constitutional Police Department. The specification report report does allow data sharing retention and and also some dissemination policy by and bias based policing of course is reference which of course is illegal and inappropriate under the policy, record retention schedule policy, etc. We opened I opened the discussion with with Deputy Chief bliss regarding the report the committee raised the following questions and recourse how is this surveillance van beneficial to the community? Are there specific cases where the surveillance ban then has been effective to provide a number provide a number of how many times the van is used and outcomes of those usages? To show if the tool is effective, or a good use of resources? Thirdly, are there any problems that have come out of the usage of the van and finally differentiate differentiate between the new and old technology being updated and what his capability is? A major concern was that the van has equipment to not just view and see and record that but also to listen. It has an audio component that is different than that. And that to me anyway personally raises constitutional questions. A DC last reported to bring back more information to the committee on this matter and the actual, if you will specifications of the equipment that will be added. Finally, there was a Wayne Law tour of the persons and Professor Robert Schatz class came in with me and also Jasmine Taylor and we toured the real time crime center for about two and a half hours. It was an amazing tour. I want to do a special thank you on the record to miss Sheila young and Miss lamonica Williams for their time and dialogue and on understanding the uses of some of the technology and talking through how more how much how more data would be helpful for the community to understand the effectiveness of some of the technologies. I'm going to send them official letters thanking them and copy the chief on those letters. The our meeting our next meeting is scheduled for June 11. At 5pm. Sure,
thank you, Commissioner Burton.
Thank you chair, you know as the patch as the past chairperson of the policy subcommittee. You know, I just want to just you know, just say that the policy subcommittee met on Tuesday. There was some discussions at the table, but I call for a gentleman at 537 And so therefore, the board lost quorum. In addition to that, Commissioner burger Commissioner Bernard called for a five minute recess because Robert Brown, the Acting Secretary asked her to call for a five minute recess. So the question for the parliamentarian if the German is call is it consider a non debatable was
the motion state it and then adapt it? Oh
no, it was not.
I call for the in German. I love therefore there was no corn duty to then Commissioner Barnard call for five minute recess right after our call for the German and walked away from my chair, then. So then 542. The if you know, there was still no one paying back on or whatever so so then 546 They go into they go back into the meeting which is way past the five minute mark and then continue their meeting. Continue this meeting, but but the German was called therefore it was no quorum. And my understanding, it was not a debate
also a German does not in decorum. And your call for German has to be second and then voted on.
There was no there was no quorum at that point. So therefore, how can the meat continue on through the
chair? Commissioner woods?
Yes. You know, I think it was a dereliction of duty for Mr. burden to continue to a commission a burden to continue to walk out of meetings, trying to hijack meetings, disregard and point of order is and as a citizen of the city of Detroit. I think it's disgraceful. You know, that we can point of order to excuse me may not be recognized submission burden, I think is disgraceful that he would continue to treat the citizens of the city Detroit in this manner. You know, the fact of the matter is, is that we have some of the most serious policies that affects the citizens of the city of Detroit and was revolutionary. To bring people into this particular meeting. People who had sued the city of Detroit, people who have sued sued the city of Detroit at the table helping to create policy to prevent other lawsuits and to go to prevent other harm from happening to the citizens of the city of Detroit. And to be able to bear like your duty and to walk out on the people of the city of Detroit is disgraceful.
On a border, so chaired by Bernard My question is who was in attendance at that committee meeting? Mr.
Burton walked out. We I simply said that we would take a recess because I knew that Commissioner Woods was coming and he did come we reestablished a quorum. There were like 10 people there. We all just waited for that little time until he he parked downstairs and he came up and we finished the meeting. Okay, so again, it doesn't burden was in the hallway the whole time.
Doesn't appear to be a border. issue. It's a matter of three people quorum would be two. Yes, correct. So if there were two people present, then there was a quorum, correct. And therefore the meeting absolutely could continue.
Thank you the chair. There was two people and it was only two people in the meeting. It was commissioner Bernard and myself. One I love at 537 I called for in German as as I laughed, and I said it twice at this at the seat. Therefore it was no warm. I was there to meet the quorum. I was there for the meeting. I stayed for 37 minutes prior to being dragged into another meeting. In my district.
There are several motions that are in order even in the absence of a quorum. One of the motions that would be an order is a motion to recess. And that motion would
be made if you feel that you have a reasonable expectation of acquiring quorum and a reasonable amount of time. So based on what I'm hearing, Mr. Chairman, the motion to recess which is in order, we do it all the time when we don't have a quorum here because we have expectation that a quorum will occur. So the motion to recess is one of the motions that can be made in order in the absence of a quorum. Based on what I'm hearing, a quorum was so reestablished and therefore the meeting was completely valid to the chair. I'm calling for the parliamentarian to review the minutes from the policy subcommittee and also review the online video if it's posted at this point at this time. Well, I mean, I get it that it was well within your right you know, again, but I would just ask you to really inquire like to what it I mean, I don't really know what your because if I if I let you know, that continuing meeting when when there is no quorum and stating it was not it was not a form, what's the Quorum of your committee and so therefore, the burden, what is a quorum for your committee to it would be two. Okay, I love it. Okay. And it will offer the reason for a call for in German as I love mission averted. No meeting Commissioner burger, you've just been made aware that when you left Commissioner Woods arrived, right it was him then arrive and so at Brown 540 655 46. I call for the German at 530. Settle again. We will we will follow your request and actually Dr. Jackson reviewed the minutes of the meeting but again, I don't know to what in you're attempting to accomplish. And again, therefore we're still you have not been recognized. It's hard for you to know who has arrived when you've admitted that you left. Now, if you were still there when the person arrived, and again, that does then speak to a negligence on your part to fulfill your responsibility to serving in that committee if you indeed were there. Okay, but if not, it's hard for you to then account for who was there if your meeting that you were not okay. But we will have there will have you have not been reading up on this point of order you have not been registered point of order, you have not been recognized. So we will answer your request and have those ministry be reviewed. But as we have a very lengthy agenda, I ask that we will move forward with that matter. Is there any further questions for the policy? Yes. I would like to end on a note that I want to applaud. Commissioner Barnard and I want to applaud the University of Michigan Civil Rights Law, the Law School, the Civil Rights department, the ACLU, as well as the chief of police for their great leadership and a person who would have been victimized by the facial recognition a dilemma for coming to the table and creating a policy that is in the best interest for people to city Detroit. Thank you. Are there any further questions or comments through the chair banks? Through the Chair yes. Do the Chair. Mr. Mr. Chairman, we lost at large Roy gamble right? He resigned correct now do it do we do we know when any other commissioners may be replacing him? No. Okay, you know, we have some good commissioners that follow this year board, William Davis, ministerial. Whatever that comment is that you hold it because again, we're speaking particularly on this analysis. No, right? No, no, we still are asked for any further question to share it to the policy committee report. To the chair additional burden, you know, it was 2019 or I raised at this table that what happens when facial recognition misidentified a person of color that doesn't have the resources for good legal defense, and how it criminalizes those that wake up everyday and are already in addition to that, I am the Commissioner that called in the ACLU, the University of Michigan countless times here in Commissioner meetings, countless times have called for, you know, having Wayne State University to weigh in or on policy issues, the ACLU, but also the Arab civil rights lead, also call for that and the policy committee, but we also also call for the National Action Network. Also call for the poverty post hate with Vankleek Thompson, and also community members. I'm the first chairperson of the policy committee to invite the public and to weigh in on our policies and including John Conyers. The second who came here and wrote a pensive a nine page report on our some of our our one of our policy key policies at the time, also brought in a company that's out of Chicago and California is also in California, came here and talked about body worn cameras, and things of that nature addressing a number of our policies. Also, as as you know, as a commissioner, I talked about the techno racism, not being able to identify one black person to another. We still have serious issues here and Americans blackness poor city like Detroit, Michigan, when you have three African Americans that we know of that's been properly that's been mis identified Miss identify by our techno racism facial rec better known as facial recognition. You got a Robert Williams, Michael Bolivar, who slept on a Wayne County Jail floor summit floor and ate breakfast long breath for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You ate bologna sandwiches for a crime he didn't commit. And then you have Portia Whitworth right now in the United States. You have seven people right now that's been misidentified that we know of by facial recognition that's 42.8% Miss identification right here the CDD three out of the seven do the math. If one innocent person is Miss identified that's one too many. Thank you is there any further questions? Commissioner Hernandez? Yeah, thank you so much through the chair. I would just in reference to the actual policy memorandum that was provided to us. I'd like to end this portion of it on a factual note, and actually thank the colleagues who don't walk away when there are pressing items that needs to be addressed. So I think I'll echo my colleagues on the committee who are thanking those who stepped up to the table and actually were there in presence so that the meeting could continue. Anything else is just noise. Thank you. Thank you. Now we're going to chair real quick real brief. You have not been recognized. Five seconds. Mr. Chairman, you have not been recognized Chairman five seconds, and you're out of order you have not been recognized. And now we'll move on to new business. The chair. Is there any new business Chairman, I want to just say oh, you are out of order Commissioner Verdun, you have not been recognized. So, Chairman I'm gonna say real quick. One of the border commissioner on your higher border, you're out of order, Michigan, and for those that cannot officially burden you're out of water. The next number Mitch, your reservoir of water. I have water. Yes. In his race on this mission of burden. You're out of water. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. If I can be recognized or not recognized. We got to move to new business at this time. closed session pursuant to section eight A of the Open Meetings Act MCL 15.2688. The department's request for the Board's consider administrative leave without paper with medical benefits for police officer Caleb Williams badge number 1854 assigned to the fifth precinct. The chair entertain a motion to move is there a second has been properly moved and seconded. Is there any discussion? Hearing no discussion? All those in favor please signify by saying aye. All those opposed, no. The eyes have it. We will take a three minute recess to set the room up. Public. Please be aware we have for closed sessions. So it'd be might be a few back and forth. But I do apologize for any inconvenience. Thank