Board of Police Commissioners
Detroit Board of Police Commissioners
Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022
3:00 p.m. — 6:00 p.m. EST
1301 3rd Street Detroit, MI 48226 (Directions)
Join meeting on Zoom: https://cityofdetroit.zoom.us/j/397380647?pwd=S1kzVzU4RURFb2NBRGJIb1kwWVNjdz09
Check the source website for additional information
Reporting
Edited and summarized by the Detroit - MI Documenters Team
Chief White details another fatal officer-involved shooting; Commissioner Willie Bell removed from personnel committee.
Hey, Detroiters!👋
I’ll be live-tweeting the @detroitpolice Board of Police Commissioners Meeting today at 3:00 PM for #DETdocumenters.
@media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DETdocumenters
01:22 PM Nov 17, 2022 CST

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters You can find all of the info you need for this meeting (including an agenda) here👇https://detroitmi.gov/events/board-police-commissioners-meeting-november-17-2022

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters ‼️ IMPORTANT: If you believe anything in the coverage tonight is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@outliermedia.org with “Correction Request” in the subject line.

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters The meeting is getting started! https://t.co/q7ztc1Blmo

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters Burton, Carter, and Hernandez are not present at the time of roll call. The agenda for today has been approved, as well as the minutes from last week.

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters Commissioner Hernandez is the new chairperson of Personnel and Training committee, effective today. Hernandez replaces Bell.

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters Next up is the Chief of Police report, presented by Chief White. https://t.co/mSY7wOV1IR

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters Homicide rates are up, and White reports many of those incidents involve individuals who know each other, or have some time of relationship. However, violent crime numbers are down.

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters White focuses part of his report today on mental health, in response to the recent officer-involved shooting last week. https://www.wxyz.com/news/detroit-police-chief-suspends-2-officers-1-supervisor-after-woman-killed-in-officer-involved-shooting

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters Officers arrived on the scene and tried to negotiate with the armed subject, but fearing for children in the home, the officers entered the home. Struggle ensued, and subject was shot by the officers. The investigation is still ongoing.

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters Conversations regarding how to deal with these situations are being had, including strategies, supervisor responses/oversight, etc. White says that in situations like these where weapons are involved, unfortunately safety trumps mental health.

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters In reference to this incident, White says “I am troubled by what I view as a lack of supervisory oversight.”

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters Chief White also highlights this incident from Nov 15. https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2022/11/15/detroit-police-shoot-man-who-fled-traffic-stop-on-west-side-gun-ski-mask-recovered/

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters White also states that a suspect was identified in relation to the series of carjackings in Detroit of Lyft drivers over the past several months. Here is some background: https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2022/11/17/detroit-man-accused-of-carjacking-4-lyft-drivers-at-gunpoint-after-forcing-them-to-undress/

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters Another situation highlighted by White today is that which happened this morning. A man shot his neighbor early this morning, saying he was upset over many issues, including a wrongly delivered package by Amazon last year. More details found here - https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2022/11/17/police-at-barricaded-gunman-situation-on-detroits-west-side/69656517007/

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters A number of weapons and wildlife were also found inside the home of the gunman.

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters Commissioner Banks asks White how his vacation was, in response to him not being present at the BOPC meetings over the past several weeks. White responds, I was not on vacation, I have been working. Banks said he was misinformed.

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters Question was asked to White about the officer involved shooting, looking for more specifics about policies followed or not followed. White says that a lot of the investigation of the incident will be reviewed by the Michigan State Police. However, there are a handful of factors

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters …he does look at, including facts of arrival, policies followed or not, video and audio footage, etc. Says suspensions were made because the way the situation was handled gives him cause for concern.

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters White says, “we have to follow policy precisely, precisely…no deviations…to the letter.”

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters White says we have to talk through the crises before it gets to the point the police need to be involved. If you witness someone that needs help, you need to help them get that support BEFORE a tragedy happens. “We have to be more proactive on the frontend…”

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters Commissioner Holley says we should know how rampant mental health issues are in Detroit - “this should be a priority.”

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters White says that our Special Reaction Team (SRT) is one of the best in the country, if not the best.

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters White says statistically people are struggling, a lot has to do with the psychological results of COVID - depression, anxiety, etc.

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters According to White, “every possible thing we can do to be better is on the table.”

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters “These are complex problems that need complex solutions,” says White. On Nov 28, the DPD is announcing a complete overhaul of the mental health strategy.

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters Commissioner Carter mentions that knowing the resources is part of the solution, @team_mhs being one of them. Asks Chair Ferguson to bring more resource presentations to the BOPC meetings.

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters @team_mhs Commissioner Bell says guns are a huge problem - people have them, and they’re going to use them. Says we can’t address this issue without also addressing gun use and laws.

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters @team_mhs Commissioner Hernandez references a recent ride along he went on and how varied the situations were that they encountered. Encouraged other members of the BOPC to do that, regardless if they are a former officer or not. Says they can’t provide oversight the right way

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters @team_mhs …without knowing what is really going on.

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters @team_mhs Time for public comment!⏰

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters @team_mhs #1: Says police officers are like airplane pilots, they must do their job right 100% of the time or someone gets hurt. Demands weekly that the HR and CI offices report out to the BOPC regularly.

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters @team_mhs #2: Giving remarks in Commissioner Burton’s absence, at his request. Says he was on W Grand Blvd near Mack and was hit. Says that we have a real problem with speeding and running red lights.

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters @team_mhs #3: Speaker is here on behalf of her nephew who was killed in Dec 2021 - says her nephew is not just a number. The family is not getting responses from officers, looking for answers.

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters @team_mhs #4: Says he wants to file a police report against the Mayor, but no one will listen to what he has to say. Feels he is being wrongly targeted by the Mayor.


@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters @team_mhs #6: Wonderful report from the Chief. Says she worked with Whitmer on her campaign and she was sitting with the Mayor and they are working on some mental health initiatives.

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters @team_mhs #7: Says that the BOPC has policy making power, and that no one representing the DPD shall attempt to circumvent their authority. Officers working to prevent crime, shouldn’t be working side by side with criminals.

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters @team_mhs #8: Reads her NACO report, says it will be read over the course of several meetings. Awarded a scholarship to attend this year. BOPC has opportunities to improve in Detroit. Says she learned best practice that BOPC should be independent of local law enforcement.

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters @team_mhs #9: Pleased there is a new chair to Personnel and Training committee. Says the public has lost a lot of respect for this board. All officers involved in officer-involved shootings should be named and released to public. Need greater transparency - “we need to do more.”

Apologies! I lost power, but I’m logged back in on my phone. Coverage will resume now.

Public comment is over. The chair thanks the public for coming to the meeting and calling in to voice their concerns. The meeting will continue with the FY23 1Q budget review.






Commissioner asks about the process to get a contact with the city. When a contract is up, the public is notified via the city’s website. That is when companies can submit bids. City Council is the final approval.

$2.1M is being spent on automobile theft. A lot of that is going toward salaries of the officers working in this. Also says a portion is given from the state.

Commissioner Holley asks where #ProjectGreenLight funds are in the budget? Concerned citizens over installation costs ($12,000). How do we account for that money in the budget? Needs accountability for this money.

Sounds like cost is tied to size of the building, not $12,000 for everyone.

Next presentation is from the Office of the Chief Investigator. https://t.co/cJEF8Dn2t6


5th, 6th and 8th precincts have the most. https://t.co/ealjJLaQ3r

Officer complaints by unit, gender and race. https://t.co/gruxP4aLJW

The data below refers to the complainants. https://t.co/unNwVrDAQL

Many of the complaints closed were backlogged cases. https://t.co/5L762uz83V



Need to file a police misconduct complaint? Call 313-596-2499, visit http://detroitmi.gov/bopc, visit any DPD precinct or the OCI at 990 Merrill Plaisance, Detroit.


Commissioner Bernard asks if the 8 investigators hired two weeks ago have started, and they have not. Nov 28 is their start date. Bernard will follow up again after that.

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters @team_mhs When I lost power, and was tweeting from my phone, it seems that I broke my thread. Please see that coverage here. https://twitter.com/williams_ashsue/status/1593356909956005891?s=20

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters @team_mhs Next BOPC meeting is Thursday, December 1, 2022 @ 3:00 p.m. and the next community meeting is Thursday, December 8, 2022 @ 6:30 p.m.

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters @team_mhs The Personnel and Training Report will now be presented by Commissioner Bell.

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters @team_mhs Received confirmation that the individuals filling the interim roles will be able to be reverted back to their previous roles. Completed the hiring of 8 investigators - start on Nov 28. There is an ongoing interview schedule for both roles.

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters @team_mhs Hope to complete the process in the next 2-3 weeks. Asks if BOPC isn’t concerned about the staff, then who is?


@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters @team_mhs There is lots of discussion happening about the lack of transparency and not following the appropriate hiring processes.

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters @team_mhs There are 2 litigations regarding hiring against the BOPC. Commissioner Bernard also said she filed a complaint with the Mayor regarding these issues.

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters @team_mhs The Budget Committee Report will now be presented by Commissioner Holt. Met with agency CFO (who presented today), budget training for BOPC will happen in January, will receive FY24 proposed budget soon.

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters @team_mhs The Citizen Complaint Committee Report will now be presented by Commissioner Holley. Gives thanks to the interim CI.

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters @team_mhs Commissioner Banks holds up a poster, and says, “Leaders encourage one another. Leaders make people better.” Encourages the BOPC to be better, more respectful, etc. https://t.co/PBB4NrNlf7

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters @team_mhs Commissioner Holley says that the BOPC is made up of independent thinkers, which means they won’t always agree. Says as long as they go through the chair, they will get through it.

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters @team_mhs Commissioner Pressley was trying to make a motion to move to closed session, but Commissioner Bernard said that she had another topic for new business. Bernard says Chair Ferguson did not remove Bell with respect or courtesy.

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters @team_mhs Now, the BOPC will move into a closed session, as motioned by Commissioner Pressley.


@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters @team_mhs The BOPC has returned to open session.

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters @team_mhs A motion was made to put Corporal Sean Bell (Badge 2003) on administrative leave WITH pay, which was not the recommendation of the Chief. This motion failed.

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters @team_mhs There is uncertainty surrounding how to move forward now with Corporal Bell. If no decision is made today, whatever is his current status would be, would continue until next week.

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters @team_mhs Commissioner Pressley made a motion to approve the Chief’s recommendation of Administrative Leave Without Pay but with Medical Benefits for Corporal Sean Bell, Badge 2003, and to add it to unfinished business to be discussed at the Dec 1 meeting.

@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters @team_mhs This motion passed. One “no” vote was given by Commissioner Bernard.


@detroitpolice @media_outlier @BridgeDet313 @PlanetDetroit @freep @wdet @Detour_Detroit @metrotimes @chalkbeatDET @DetDocumenters @team_mhs The meeting was adjourned at 6:59 PM. For more meeting coverage, check out http://documenters.org. Thanks for following along!
Chief White details another fatal officer-involved shooting; Commissioner Willie Bell removed from personnel committee.
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Detroit Board of Police Commissioners
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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
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