Board of Police Commissioners

Join this meeting online, by phone or in person: https://detroitmi.gov/events/board-police-commissioners-meeting-september-1-2022

We’ll publish more notes and archived materials: https://detroit.documenters.org/assignments/board-of-police-commissioners-4382/

📎 Today’s agenda! Expect presentations on board policy and DPD’s budget: https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/events/2022-08/Agenda%20September%201%202022%20%281%29_rev.pdf https://t.co/l5CQGa5oQr

🏃 Need to catch up on the BOPC? See our past reporting: https://detroit.documenters.org/reporting/?tags=16

Nick Hagen took notes on their last meeting: https://detroit.documenters.org/assignments/board-of-police-commissioners-4350/

And Paul Warner live-tweeted: https://twitter.com/PauldubbWarner/status/1562877547347836928

🗞 Detroit’s police oversight board is creating a Youth Advisory Panel, meant to help young Detroiters know their rights during police encounters, learn about police oversight and improve community relations. @BryceHuffman313 has more: https://www.bridgedetroit.com/oversight-board-wants-detroit-youth-to-help-with-police-accountability%ef%bf%bc/

Mayor Mike Duggan said a proposed expansion of the city’s ShotSpotter surveillance system would’ve prevented a mass shooting last Sunday. But it’s unclear if this would’ve happened. From @samueljrob: https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2022/08/30/duggan-shotspotter-mass-shooting-detroit

❓The Board of Police Commissioners oversees the @detroitpolice. They decide DPD’s budget and policies. They also review complaints and discipline officers. Seven commissioners are elected, four are mayor-appointed. They meet weekly. https://detroitmi.gov/government/boards/board-police-commissioners

Your Board of Police Commissioners (and the district they represent):

• Bryan Ferguson, chair (1)
• Annie Holt, vice chair (at-large)
• Linda Bernard (2)
• @ApostleCBanks (3)
• Willie Bell (4)
• @WillieBurton313 (5)
• Lisa Carter (6)
• @RicardoDetroit (7)
…

Your commissioners, continued:
• Jesus Hernandez (at-large)
• Jim Holley (at-large)
• @q_pressley (at-large)

🚩 Need visual descriptions? Let me know and I’ll provide them.

Something inaccurate? Email documenters@outliermedia.org with the subject “Correction Request.” I add corrections at the end.

I’ll be back at 3 p.m.! Watch the DETdocumenters hashtag.

The online meeting is live, so come on in! Melanie White is the board’s interim secretary. https://t.co/DdmnCMXuU3

…And I’m back. The meeting audio is passable, but let’s see if it improves once the meeting starts. Several commissioners mention not having electricity at home.

⌚️ At 2:59 p.m., the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners meeting begins! Interim Secretary White gives instructions for public commenters. Chair Ferguson calls the meeting to order. DPD Chaplain Jackie Timmons leads the invocation prayer. #DETdocumenters https://t.co/coM4p6DnSg

DPD Chaplain Timmons. https://t.co/EL9xZb5dUW

👤 Roll call! Interim Secretary White says Commissioners Bell and Carter submitted excused absences. Meanwhile, Holley, Burton and Hernandez were not heard. White says we have a quorum anyway.

The board approves this meeting’s agenda and their previous meeting’s minutes.

White says Commissioner Holley has now arrived. https://t.co/KpiKzT01Oi

👥 Interim Secretary White introduces the present BOPC staffmembers. All the usual folks are here. She also notes that Marie Overall, staffmember for Tyrone Carter, is here.

Chair Ferguson gives some remarks in a statement, regarding the arrest of a gunman. “We must remain vigilant and look out for each other.” He talks about their 21st Century Policing report. “We must have accountability and transparency in an entire criminal justice system.” …

He also mentions the upcoming NACOLE conference — more details later in the thread.

Chair Ferguson says Commissioner Hernandez has arrived.

📜 Now to resolutions. There’s only one. It honors the retirement of Deputy Chief Marlon C. Wilson. Commissioner Banks recites the resolution and the board approves it. https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/events/2022-09/RESOLUTION%20DC%20MARLON%20WILSON_August%202022.pdf https://t.co/s75fzjhdUP

📝 At 3:14 p.m., the board proceeds to the Chief of Police report. It includes crime statistics.

Stats from Aug. 30: https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/events/2022-08/220830%20DPD%20Daily%20Stats.pdf

Stats from last week: https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/events/2022-08/220829%20Weekly%20Stats%20Report.pdf https://t.co/6to4YUe3RT

Chief White: “We are even as it related to homicides.”

Stats from DPD’s drag race detail this past week: 55 traffic stops, 16 citations, 2 recovered stolen vehicles.

White also said DPD has commenced “an operation with proactive enforcement of high impact offenders” in two precincts.

Chief White talks about the killing of a transgender woman this past week. https://wdet.org/2022/09/01/detroit-man-charged-in-shooting-death-of-black-transgender-woman/

White gives a detailed account of last Sunday’s mass shooting. He says the alleged shooter is being held with a $1 million cash bond. https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2022/08/31/teen-charged-in-4-part-shooting-spree-that-killed-3-injured-man-dog-in-detroit/

Chief White talks about CodeRed, DPD’s emergency alert system to notify residents of major local incidents. “We’re going to be ramping up our connectivity with that, and we are encouraging as many residents as we can to sign up.”

White also briefly talks about a building explosion that occured near a school. He says there were concerns about the building’s structural integrity.

He then goes over DPD’s past week of news conferences, recruiting events and community events.

DPD will have four recruiting events, including one at Comerica Park during a Tigers game.

Chair Ferguson reacts positively to DPD Chief White. “Awesome.” He potential shooters and drag racers: “You’re gonna roll that dice too many times. You’re gonna get caught.”

Commissioner Banks asks if DPD has deployed more patrols near the site of the mass shooting. Chief White says DPD has discussed this and they are planning to do so.

Commissioner At-Large Pressley gives positive remarks about DPD’s presence at a community block party. He also asks about a trend in homicides in the 7th precinct. Chief White said that precinct typically has low numbers, but they’re increasing patrols in response.

Commissioner Burton is called to speak but he says he’ll speak later.

Commissioner Hernandez asks about DPD’s Operation Hot Wheels. Chief White says that initiative “was data driven.” He also responds to a question about the building explosion, which was related to a marijuana growing operation: White will come back with further details.

Hernandez applauds a few DPD officers for their participation in community events.

Commissioner Moore gives thanks for DPD’s efforts in cordoning off the area around the building explosion. …

He also asks if the mass shooting had any connection to violent music or video games. “It just seems to be the commonality in my research.” Chief White says they don’t know yet.

Regarding the mass shooting, Commissioner Bernard congratulates the DPD chief for a community meeting in the 12th precinct. She also thanks the Mayor Mike Duggan for authorizing overtime for officers in response.

Bernard seems to dismiss Commissioner Moore’s concerns of violence in music and video games. Instead, she points to marijuana use and mental illness. “They make people think they’re Superman or something.”

Commissioner At-Large Holley talks about a woman he knew who died in a mass shooting. “It affects so many people. This woman was working two jobs and trying to take care of five kids. … It’s just terrible.”

Holley also asks Chief White if there was anything DPD could have done to quickly alert residents. …

White points again to their CodeRed alert system. “Stay tuned, commissioner, and that’s coming very, very soon.” He says these alerts are only sent through mobile phones. Chair Ferguson expresses a concern that this is a voluntary opt-in system.

Commissioner At-Large Holt gives a “public announcement as it relates to the sensitivity that law enforcement still need to demonstrate when they interact with the citizens.” …

She recounts a couple in the 11th precinct who complained to police of a barking dog. She says the officers visited the couple right after visiting the dog owner, potentially compromising their anonymity.

Burton says he’s receiving calls from DPD retirees who do not receive healthcare benefits. He’s concerned of the collective bargaining of police unions. Commissioner At-Large Holley questions Burton’s figures. …

Chair Ferguson says the board is not responsible for this matter. “We have no power to do anything about that. I wish we did.” Burton tries to continue speaking but Ferguson cuts him off.

📣 At 4:00 p.m., the board proceeds to hear public comments! We have eight speakers.

Bernice: “I am so proud of my police department. You should have seen them in Greektown.” They’re glad about the raise Chief White is giving officers. But, they complain about illegal parking in that same area and drag racing on Grand Boulevard at West Warren.

Minister Eric Blount: “It is just sickening to realize that each commissioner’s comment and questions to the chief are not directed toward police officer misconduct.” He disapproves of the board’s decision last week to keep employed an officer who tested positive for cocaine.

Blount continues: “I guess this board plays this lookaway game as much as possible as it concerns police officer misconduct.”

Vicki from District 7 thanks the board for responding to an unnamed research study. This commenter says they emailed the board about a “correlation between hopelessness and crime.”

Lory asks how DPD Deputy Chief Marla Wilson will resolve complaints against officers. This commenter also asks how BOPC will select the next chair and vice chair. Lastly, Lory says the board should not have a retired police officer nor firefighter on the board.

Michelle talks about the explosion at a marijuana grow site and the mass shooting. They believe that drugs like marijuana have influenced these incidents. Michelle is concerned about monkeypox transmission between officers and the public.

Frances is called upon but says they don’t have a comment.

Scotty says Commissioner Burton was “silenced twice” during a past board meeting. “That’s unacceptable.” Scotty also says, “Please respect each other. I hope the chair can let commissioners have a voice as part of the parliamentary procedure.” …

He wants the board to have a hand in police union collective bargaining negotiations.

Former police commissioner William Davis is also concerned about collective bargaining and the resignations of police officers. https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2022/09/01/detroit-losing-cop-nearly-every-day-a-lot-officers-are-saying-screw-it/7942308001/

📊 At 4:17 p.m., the board proceeds to a presentation on DPD’s fourth-quarter budget report. Presentation slides: https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/events/2022-09/BOPC%20Budget%20Presentation%20Q4%20FY22.pdf https://t.co/cCLnYZXWv3

Nevrus Nazarko presents. He says DPD received more revenue than budgeted, attributed to income tax and utility tax earmarks for the police department. … https://t.co/noE6nFHQRh

Nazarko says of the variant, “This may not look like a significant statistic, but when you are told to spend in a department that has 3,400 employees … This is on the good side.”

Nazarko discusses DPD’s forfeiture activity and upcoming contract expirations. https://t.co/JAu04DG7M1

Vehicle purchases: Nazarko says DPD has spend $8.9 million on police vehicles. He attributes the cost to market conditions.

He also explains their capital expenditures, facility improvements. https://t.co/eQQH6JrOg5

Nazarko talks about a grant report, but I wasn’t able to find this online. It isn’t shown in the online meeting.

I’m not able to type or decipher all these numbers, but hope you can see them in the transcript in this screenshot. https://t.co/c92r8Mr7Hq

Commissioner At-Large Holley asks if vehicles are leased, and if they’re sold at the end of their life. Nazarko says DPD leases some cars, but “we own the majority of our fleet.” He refers to a 10-year plan to replace vehicles. …

Holley says, “Every time I hear Washington say, ‘We’re gonna get some more money to the police’ — you know that’s what the president said a few months ago — I get so excited.” Nazarko says they have staff tasked with federal grantwriting.

Commissioner Bernard is unhappy with the size of a table in their meeting packet. She also asks about a contract with the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office. Nazarko says the county works with DPD on some criminal cases. …

Bernard asks again, incredulously, “We’re paying the prosecutor’s office?” Nazarko is unsure how much. Bernard says the county has their own budget.

Bernard also asks about other contracts with Black Family Development and Ruth Carter Law. Nazarko says BFD participates in DPD’s Ceasefire program. Bernard further complains about the lack of detail in this report regarding contracts. “It doesn’t help the community.”

Commissioner Burton asks how much money is going into surveillance technology like facial recognition and “military-grade equipment.” …

Nazarko says the general fund has budgeted $400,000 to ShotSpotter. The proposed expansion will not come from the general fund. He says there isn’t any budget for other cell phone tracking hardware, like Stingrays.

CORRECTION: DPD Chief White did not give the Chief of Police report as he is not present. Deputy Chiefs Franklin Hayes and Tiffany Stewart are here in his place.

Commissioners Pressley and Holt, like Bernard, want a more detailed financial report. Nazarko says he’ll return with more information. …

Holt asks if DPD needs more resources to continue rape kit investigations, and if they need grants. Nazarko says he does not have information on this.

That’s it for Nazarko. Chair Ferguson wants to move the policy presentation to next week’s meeting. Another commissioner asks why they approved the agenda if they knew if commissioners were not prepared for it. https://t.co/VK4XbzpFnt

The parliamentarian says a two-thirds majority is required to amend the agneda to postpone this item. There is some confusion over the proper order.

Lots of confusion, lots of crosstalk. Commissioner Bernard says the presentation doesn’t need to be postponed as it’s only informational. Holley looks very frustrated. The parliamentarian says they can’t postpone the report by more than a week.

The board is talking about a presentation on BOPC policy. It mainly concerns an upcoming conference of the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement. Presentation slides: https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/events/2022-08/Board%20of%20police%20commissioners%20Policy%20Presentation%20AUGUST%202022.pdf https://t.co/ZrBIKsWWqj

Interim Secretary White says the presentation is both informational and a policy update.

The board now takes a vote, but at this point, it’s very confusing what exactly they’re voting on. I assume it’s still to postpone the presentation.

No: Holt, Holley, Hernandez, Pressley, Bernard, Burton, Moore, Ferguson

Yes: Banks

They now vote to rescind this item from the agenda. They all vote yes and it passes.

The parliamentarian says now the presentation is struck from the agenda and will not come up again next week.

📝 At 4:59 p.m., the board proceeds to a report from Interim Secretary Melanie White on communications sent to the board. This includes weekly reports on DPD’s use of surveillance technology.

Facial recognition: https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/events/2022-08/220829%20BOPC%20Facial%20Rec%20Report.pdf

ShotSpotter: https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/events/2022-08/220829%20BOPC%20ShotSpotter.pdf https://t.co/gGIV3ACEaD

🧳 At 5:01 p.m., the board proceeds to unfinished business. Commissioner Bernard says, “What is a major smoking gun regarding the BOPC is the report of the Wayne State Police Accountability Task Force.”

Bernard continues. “This is serious. And it addresses what we’ve been criticized the most for, and that relates to citizen complaints and police accountability.” Moore agrees that it should be discussed soon.

Commissioner At-Large Holley says they should not demean their staff. But Bernard says that report involves their staff. Chair Ferguson says commissioners should read their emails. Bernard says she does. Ferguson: “Let me stop you right there, ‘cause that wasn’t good.”

Burton speaks in support of Bernard. He says communications like this report should be timestamped when the board receives them. …

The parliamentarian now interjects saying “it is not appropriate” to raise this matter during unfinished business, as the report has not yet been put on any agenda.

Interim Secretary White says this report was included in the presentation that the board just rescinded. She says this report still awaits the review and evaluation of the board and the policy subcommittee. White says they plan to bring this report back “in an official manner.”

💼 At 5:08 p.m., the board proceeds to new business. Commissioner At-Large talks about a “candy-like drug” that apparently kills 300 people a day. It is unclear what he’s referring to. ¬

Holley wants DPD to find out if this affects young Detroiters. He also talks about his niece who died from consuming “laced” marijuana.

Chair Ferguson admonishes Commissioner Burton for having outstanding cases that they have yet to bring to the Office of the Chief Investigator. Burton responds to defend himself — “My stuff is in!” Commissioner Holley leaves his seat. https://t.co/Hve85ZzvKY

Lots of back and forth between Burton and Ferguson. Burton: “My cases were brought in last week. They’re right here on my desk and they’re up in the board’s office.” He also says he’s requesting videos for these cases.

Commissioner Banks: “Let’s keep the harmony among one another. Let’s not let that get away.”

Holley responds, but Burton tries to repeat what he said.

I’m afraid I’ve been away from the BOPC for a bit too long to fully comprehend exactly what’s being said. I know it regards citizen complaints submitted to the board. …

Bernard says they’re “cherrypicking what commissioners find objectionable. That is incorrect. It is unethical and it is totally improper.”

Interim Secretary White and Commssioner Bernard are now verbally sparring. Chair Ferguson tries to move on to the next agenda item. Bernard says she has proof of the cases she submitted.

Burton now brings up a different topic. It regards harm reduction strategies for substance abuse. I’m unsure what exactly is being proposed. The board tries to move swiftly to make a motion, but the parliamentarian interrupts saying they need to follow procedure.

Burton proposes coordinated enforcement between Detroit police, the Wayne County prosecutor and state legislature to avoid punitive approaches to substance abuse. …

The parliamentarian says this proposal needs to be written beforehand so it could be restated accurately during the motion and approval process.

Commissioner At-Large Holt expresses support for this proposal but suggests it be brought up next week. The parliamentarian offers her support in drafting this proposal. Burton is reluctant to accept her support. https://t.co/ddM3HtXsuS

Burton continues onto another topic regarding canvassing… I’m honestly not sure what this is about.

Someone tries to move to adjourn the meeting but nope, we still have announcements.

🎺 Announcements! The agenda notes that there will be no committee meetings in September because of the NACOLE conference. Board’s meeting schedule: https://detroitmi.gov/document/2022-bopc-meeting-calendarrevised https://t.co/OtpOOS9t5M

Hernandez says the Sep. 8 BOPC Community Meeting will start at 3 p.m. The time listed on the schedule is wrong.

Chair Ferguson makes a remark before we adjourn. “When you encounter a police officer, try to be nice and I guarantee that they’ll be nice back.” https://t.co/ZzGFrSILBz

⏱ At 5:31 p.m. the meeting adjourns… Wow, that was something.

BOPC’s Community Meeting will take place next Thursday, Sep. 8: https://detroitmi.gov/events/board-police-commissioners-meeting-september-8-2022

That’s my live coverage of this Detroit Board of Police Commissioners Board of Police Commissioners meeting. As always, thank you for following along!

You — yes, you! — can become a documenter, too. Sign up and get trained at @DetDocumenters: https://detroit.documenters.org/

Further corrections may follow below.

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