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Today’s agenda:

Meeting called to order at 6:30 PM

There is a virtual ASL translator

Commissioner Darryl Woods said there isn’t a quorum so the board secretary is giving her report.

Because there is no quorum, the board is going right to public comment.

1. Russel Woods resident said someone in her neighborhood with a severe mental illness was having a crisis. She called 911 and said officers were helpful and took him to the hospital. She suggests residents fill out the “Protect your crown” survey: detroitmi.gov/departments/de…

2. Resident said DPD officers harassed him. He said they reached in his vehicle, told them to get out of the car, didn’t ask for ID or anything. He wants to get an investigation.

Commissioner Woods said he can fill out a complaint with a staff member at the meeting. The commenter said he’s making more than a complaint—he’s trying to advocate for something. Woods said the BOPC only takes citizen complaints.

3. Frequent commenter emotionally talks about the death of Kaniesha Coleman. Commissioner Tamara Liberty Smith said she is taking care of it. wdet.org/2021/12/23/a-g…

4. Says the community needs accountability and transparency regarding Sherman Lee Butler’s death, when a bailiff and former DPD officer shot and killed Butler during an eviction earlier this year.

We have a quorum now at 6:45, doing roll call now.

Commissioner Ricardo Moore is motioning to amend the agenda, but to add five certificates.

Frieda Butler, the president of the second precinct community relations council, is welcoming recently promoted Commander Anthony O’Rourke.

Commissioner Linda Bernard is welcoming the new chief of police Todd Bettison. Bettison is replacing James White, who was recently selected as CEO of the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network. freep.com/story/news/loc…

Commissioner Smith is at the podium is talking about the department Trunk or Treat, praising a few police officers and giving them certificates.

Commissioner Bernard is presenting a resolution honoring Renaissance High School, located in the second district

Now Bernard is presenting a resolution to the Renaissance High School principal, Verynda Stroughter.

Bernard is presenting another resolution, this time to the School at Marygrove.

And a resolution honoring School at Marygrove principal Lisa Williams

Moving on to the chief of police report now

Bettison made comments expressing his appreciation for the BOPC, Frieda Butler, and others who support the police department. He looks forward to working with the board.

The 2nd precinct commander is giving his report. He said the city is seeing “historic” crime reduction numbers, including a drop in non fatal shootings. He said the precinct leads the city in non-fatal shooting closure rate.

Commissioner Pressley said two categories often appearing on citizen complaints include procedure (not wearing body worn cameras) and demeanor with residents (using profanity, casual and unprofessional, calling them “guy” or “boy”, etc.

The 2nd precinct chief said the precinct has high compliancy with body cameras, and tells his officers to be professional.

We’re going back to public comment. 1. Says we need to find ways to not criminalize mental illness, and have more mental health support that keeps people out of the legal system

2. Former Commissioner William Davis said his nephew was harassed, stopped, and was told to get out of the car for no expressed reason. Commissioner Moore said he needs to file a complaint, otherwise it’s just “gossip.”

Commissioner Woods is further insisting Davis makes a complaint.

3. Community activist says shes being stalked, because she’s trying to get her mom’s inheritance. She said the police took her daughter two years ago, she said she’s filed complaints with the police department.

4. Frieda Butler is concerned about how the incoming Trump administration will impact the DPD.

5. Said he has a license to sell novelty items in the city during events and festivals, and the police have harassed him telling him he can’t sell things downtown. The police will ask him and his wife for their money and threaten to arrest them if they don’t give it.

Chief Bettison said there’s an ordinance that prohibits people with street vendor licenses from selling things downtown.

Bettison also said he worries some of his products are counterfeit and they are investigating that. He also said the money they took was placed on evidence. The commenter said nothing on his license says he cant sell downtown.

Commissioner Moore asked to get a follow up on this issue. Bettison clarified that downtown is considered the central business district.

The commenter is continuing to express that he’s upset that the license doesn’t allow him to sell things downtown. Bernard asked why the commenter’s wife was crying. He said she was crying because the police were threatening to arrest her.

Commissioner Woods said he should take it up with city council.

6. Said congratulations to chief Bettison. He also said organizers want to see more transparency with project green light recordings and body camera footage.

Public comment has ended. Woods motioned to postpone a request for the board to receive legal advice concerning employee evaluation. Approved.

The BOPC is searching for a recruiting firm to find a permanent chief (Bettison is interim chief) and the special personnel and training committee made a recommendation to hire TJ staffing.

On behalf of the policy committee, Commissioner Bernard said the department wants to get more Bola wraps freep.com/story/news/loc…

Meeting adjourned at 8:22 PM

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