Edited and summarized by the
Detroit - MI Documenters Team
Live reporting byNathaniel Eichenhorn
The board hired Dorian Tyus as executive manager of policy, updated policies regarding facial recognition and police lineups, and removed from the payroll suspended Lt. Brandon Cole — caught on camera telling a protester to “Go back to Mexico.”
Commissioner burden objected to the minutes but being unable to point out his exact objection, his objection was not heard, he subsequently voted no to accepting the minutes
The police department is currently focusing on cracking down on drag racing and illegal block parties. The board is being told that these parties can be very large and are sometimes leading to violence
Commissioner Hernandez has a question about the circumstances of a automobile collision that injured a police officer. The answer is not presently available
Commissioner Hernandez has a further question about underage ATV drivers. Answer: there's a bounty on illegal ATVs and they plan to hold the parents accountable
Commissioner Bernard had a question about an officer-involved shooting. Commissioner Bernard is concerned about reports that a suspect was fleeing and subsequently shot in the back
Commissioner Woods is reminding the board that they are not there to praise the Detroit Police Department, and want to emphasize that that is not the purpose of this board
Commissioner Burton just characterized the police response to a protest in encampment at Wayne State as "violently suppressed" and asked why. The deputy chief did not respond
Answer: at the moment it's a case-by-case basis , it depends on whether the party in question is unusually loud or disruptive or if there are reports of other nuisances
Furthermore, the deputy chief reports that the police department is working on crafting a block party ordinance that will help regulate and standardize block party requirements
Commissioner Bernard has a question about the status of the Detroit Detention Center. Answer: I do not have a timeline and it is not the business of police department to hold prisoners. The commission should ask the sheriff's office or other relevant agencies
Chairperson Pressley made an announcement that in regards to complaints against the police department, it is proving exceedingly difficult to get the complainants responder cooperate with investigations. And therefore many of the cases are labeled as "inconclusive "and shelved
A public commenter voiced her frustration at the handling of her son's murder case. She says that she has been ignored by the police and that she is unable to get updates on the status of the case
Deputy chief Hayes responded that he was informed that she had already received a phone call from an officer, however, there is a new homicide Chief and DC Hayes said that he will personally attend to the matter
Chairperson Presley asked DC Hayes when the board can expect a report on that meeting. DC Hayes responded that they can expect it immediately after the meeting takes place
So Burton just said the woman's case is important and that she has rights etc. Woods responded that he is troubled by the idea of people exploiting this woman's terrible tragedy and using it to work on people's feelings. It seems to me that that was a snipe at Burton
This public commenter is upset at the way. Commissioner Burton has been speaking to others, especially Commissioner Smith, especially when Smith is chairing the meeting. She emphasizes that as a woman raised by a woman, she believes that Commissioner Smith is owed more respect.
Chairperson Pressley interrupted, saying that these outbursts are counter to commissioner Burton's stated desires to give citizens more time to comment on their government.
Commissioner burden is concerned that the board was not given three choices, as he recalls happening in the past, and rather is only being presented with one candidate to be hired at once
Pressley and Hernandez both responded, they're not happy with Burton. Pressley says Burton should stop maligning his colleagues and constantly suggesting that their actions and decisions are malicious and cunning, rather than straightforward and honest
Smith joined in, saying that the Committee in charge has worked tirelessly and with self-sacrifice to make this hire happen. Bernard joined in and said basically the same thing
The board is now entering into closed session. I'll let you know when they come back out. They're going to be talking about giving administrative leave without pay but with medical benefits to a police officer
Comm'r Bell responded to Comm'r Burton that the personal family circumstances of the officer is not relevant to the body's purpose, and that if that were a valid reason to not act, no one would ever be punished as "we all... have families"
The roll was as follows: Presley yes Bernard no Bell yes Hernandez yes Smith no Burton yes More yes Woods yes. The motion passes. The meeting was adjourned at 6:38 p.m.
The board hired Dorian Tyus as executive manager of policy, updated policies regarding facial recognition and police lineups, and removed from the payroll suspended Lt. Brandon Cole — caught on camera telling a protester to “Go back to Mexico.”
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