Edited and summarized by the
Detroit - MI Documenters Team
Live reporting byAlex Klaus
The Detroit Police Department placed 30 officers on administrative duty after discovering they had inactive, lapsed law enforcement licenses. The licenses are issued by MCOLES, the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards.
Couple things on the agenda today: - Presenting the DPD’s October HR report - Closed session to consider a department investigator’s “evaluation appeal” - Closed session to consider administrative leave without pay but with benefits for Officer Mory Sangare
Last week, the BOPC welcomed interim chief of police Todd Bettison who is replacing chief James White. https://twitter.com/mostlikelyalex/status/1857210728521834826
Deputy Chief Carrie Sloan is giving the crime report, sitting in for interim chief Bettison. She reports the department has responded to 15,800 calls for mental health issues. Commissioner Willie Burton arrived at 3:09
Sloan mentions licensure issues with about 30 officers, but I’m unsure what she’s referring to. She said the matter is “under investigation” and said the issue is likely because of a failure to submit required paperwork. She said all officers have undergone appropriate training.
Commissioner Ricardo Moore thanked deputy chief Sloan for being transparent about the 30 officers. She said the department learned about this yesterday through communication with MCOLES michigan.gov/mcoles
Several commissioners are asking about the DPD’s investigation into a traffic stop involving Jameson Williams of the Detroit Lions. cbsnews.com/amp/detroit/ne…
Deputy chief Sloan said she isn’t at liberty to comment because the investigation is ongoing. Commissioner Burton said he asked for body camera footage of the traffic stop 21 days ago.
1. Minister Eric Blount of Sacred Heart Church said the BOPC dashboard is weak and only regurgitates information about complaints. outliermedia.org/detroit-police…
2. Frequent commenter mentions Kaniesha Coleman’s death, I think he said “joker” and chair Woods stopped him and said he cant use name calling. The commenter, Woods, Burton argued about whether the board can give his time back since Woods interrupted him. He said no.
4. Resident said an officer working in a facility (possibly her apartment building?) threatened her, saying he will tie her up and put her in the trunk.
5. References the comment below, disappointed with chair Woods for using decorum as an argument for squelching criticism. Also concerned with how long it’s taken Burton to get body camera footage. https://twitter.com/mostlikelyalex/status/1859695226081902786
6. Agrees with the commenter below, that chief Bettison was a good choice. She also asked why the second precinct commander has changed so many times in one year. Sloan said sometimes commanders need to be placed in other areas based on need. https://twitter.com/mostlikelyalex/status/1859695432768815576
Department was staffed at 96% in October 63 officer vacancies 89 applicants were permanently disqualified, 7 temporarily disqualified 10 Detroit residents were new hires, 13 residents sworn. She’s going really fast and it’s hard to catch all the statistics.
The discussion about MCOLES has been raised again, but I’m still a little confused what the problem is. Commissioner Woods said something needs to be strengthened in their system.
Commissioner Cedrick Banks asked about the multiple choice written test, and wonders what questions the test had about resolving conflict. The presenter said she needs to get back to him because she hasn’t taken the test herself.
Commissioner Dewaelsche is presenting a memorandum for the budget committee. She moves adopting the committee’s recommendation to adjust the BOPC budget draft timeline to submit it.
She’s also moving to adopt the committee’s recommendation to increase OCI senior investigators and supervising investigators salary to be aligned with market standards-$92k to $107k
Returning from closed session at 5:01. Commissioner Darryl Woods made a motion to consider the evaluation appeal, there was no second. He went into motioning to go into the second closed session.
Somebody stopped him and said the board has to motion to overturn the evaluation, per the Open Meetings Act. The board voted to close the session, so I don’t think they approved to consider the evaluation appeal.
Commissioner Dewaelsche is talking about substance use disorder, and how they need to speak with Chief Bettison about working more closely with the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network (DWIHN), where former chief White serves as new CEO.
Commissioner Burton is suggesting the board postpones this until next week. There was no second to the motion. Commissioner Moore said body-worn cameras were discussed in the closed session.
Moore said theres a culture in the department that leads to stereotyping but I can’t quite figure out what he’s specifically referring to. The board voted and it didn’t pass.
Commissioner Banks mentioned a motion from a few months ago about an “unredacted report” relating to the death of Kaniesha Coleman. Commissioner Tamara Smith said the board will be notified when they “hear back” (not sure who from).
Parliamentarian said they would need to motion to reconsider. Shortly before this conversation, chair Woods left the meeting. With Woods gone, there was no longer a quorum, so Tamara Smith adjourned the meeting at 6:09
IMPORTANT: If you believe anything in the coverage today is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@outliermedia.org with "Correction Request" in the subject line.
The Detroit Police Department placed 30 officers on administrative duty after discovering they had inactive, lapsed law enforcement licenses. The licenses are issued by MCOLES, the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards.
The Board of Police Commissioners has supervisory control and oversight of the Police Department, including plenary authority over citizen complaints and the power to appoint fact finders, subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, take testimony, and require the production of evidence. The Board also appoints a civilian as Director of Police Personnel and approves all promotions made by the Chief. The 11 member board is comprised of 7 elected members from each city council district and 4 members appointed by the Mayor. https://detroitmi.gov/government/boards/board-police-commissioners
