Board of Police Commissioners

We have two closed sessions and the BOPC will interview five candidates for police chief. Here’s the agenda: dehttps://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/events/2025-01/Draft%20Agenda%20January%2030%2C%202025.pdf

City website: https://detroitmi.gov/events/board-police-commissioners-meeting-january-30-2025
Documenters coverage: https://detroit.documenters.org/assignments/board-of-police-commissioners-12952/

Last week’s Documenters coverage:
dehttps://detroit.documenters.org/assignments/board-of-police-commissioners-12867/

With live reporting from @amandaabsher.bhttps://sky.social https://sky.social : https://bsky.app/profile/amandaabsher.bsky.social/post/3lgguh7xc5s2h

The BOPC will interview five candidates for police chief, including Todd Bettison, current interim chief; Joel Fitzgerald, former chief of police and emergency management for the Regional Transportation District in Denver, Colorado; (continued)

Vernon Coakley, a retired Kalamazoo public safety chief; Cmdr. Joshua Wallace of the Chicago Police Department; and Al Fear, police chief in Lamar, Colorado.

@bridgedet313.bsky.social found that three of the five candidates have faced lawsuits or internal investigations into misconduct in past positions. https://www.bridgedetroit.com/detroit-police-department-chief-candidates/#:~:text=Alan%20Fear%20is%20in%20his,2020%2C%20and%20then%20in%20Oct.

Interim chief Todd Bettison replaced James White, who took a CEO position at Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network. Bettison has planned on aiming for a permanent chief of police position since the city named him interim chief in Nov. 2024. https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2024/11/12/todd-bettison-detroit-interim-police-chief/76227413007/

Meeting called to order at 3 p.m.

Ten members present, we have a quorum.

Chair Darryl Woods asked to waive the chief’s report for today. The board voted, one opposition. Motion passed, chief’s report was waved.

We’re starting public comment now.

1. League of United Latin American Citizens president said he thought the public comment portion would come after the Chief interviews. He said he’s sure all candidates are qualified, but said interim chief Bettison has connectivity with the community that other candidates don’t have.

Commissioner Pressley arrived at 3:06

1. Another commenter who supports Bettison because of his connection and prior work on the force in the city.

1. Former commissioner William Davis thinks the board should not interview people who have internal reports or investigations into misconduct about their behavior on other police forces.

Commissioner Burton praised work from commissioner Davis and the previous commenter, former commissioner Darryl Brown.

1. Said chair Woods told her last meeting that her complaints were taken care of through the office of the chief investigator (OCI), she said that isn’t true. She’s been coming or the board for almost two years.

1. Resident fears about the negative consequences Trump’s executive orders will have on young Black and brown men. She urges people to show up, get involved and be positive role models for young men.

1. Another commenter urging the BOPC to support Todd Bettison as a candidate for chief. Stresses how he’s connected to the community through his work with the department.

1. A pastor and founder of Living Peace Movement urges the BOPC to support Bettison. Speaking to his character like putting money down for funerals, taking people talking down to him, and serving the community.

1. Another paster supports Bettison for chief. He grew up in the city, and has seen Detroit through the good and bad times. He wants neighborhood policing. He thinks the city should not have to look to other cities to hire–they have the talent they need here.

1. Executive director of Force Detroit supports Bettison for chief. He said Bettison has been supportive to his movement and to community leaders.

1. An organizer said that Bettison built a good relationship with activists and pushes the BOPC to support him.

A commenter brought documents to the board and chair Woods told him not to approach the board. Commissioner Burton asked for one of the sheets.

1. That commenter is now speaking. He said Kaniesha Coleman did not kill herself like police say she did.

https://wdet.org/2021/12/23/a-grieving-mother-seeks-answers-after-detroit-police-investigation-of-daughters-shooting-death/

1. A Bishop working with Ceasefire Detroit supports Bettison for chief.

He, like several other commenters, referenced protests following the police killing of George Floyd in 2020. Said Bettison handled the protests well.

1. A legal liaison for Ceasefire Detroit speaks for Bettison’s character, giving him opportunity despite his history in the criminal legal system. Supports Bettison for chief.

1. Church administrator anticipates that the city will need somebody on the force who has a reputation of trust with the community. He said Bettison has always been professional, kind, and courteous and supports him for chief.

1. A Reverend said he doesn’t often advocate for the police, and normally tries to avoid them. He said there is a lot of fear due to the new presidential administration, and ICE sightings in neighborhoods. He said this is not the time to bring somebody who does not already understand the community.

continued… “We would make a grave era by not bringing Todd Bettison to the permanent position of chief of police of the city of Detroit. He has earned it, he has worked for it, he has demonstrated it. And he had the community behind him to support it.” Some attendants clapped.

1. Detroit Documenter Taura Brown said this is an important decision. She isn’t advocating for anyone, she doesn’t really know Bettison. But the police chief needs to be transparent, competent, experienced, and prepared to work in Detroit. (Continued)

She agrees they don’t need someone who needs to be taught when they come in. She said ICE is a present threat for residents throughout the city, especially in Southwest Detroit. She emphasizes the need to hire a police chief who do things decent and in order.

1. Transit advocate supports Bettison for chief.

1. Lifelong resident of 75 years supports Bettison for chief. She said he takes time to listen, and feels he takes care of residents. She said they need characteristics like Bettison in their permanent chief.

1. Scotty Bowman feels confident Bettison will receive the board’s support. He feels Bettison will continue to be as accessible as policy allows him to be. (Continued)

He also said the chief and BOPC have different jobs. BOPC should remember they are civilian oversight of the department. They need to be stern to officers who don’t meet expectations. He said they need to reduce the surveillance state in the city.

Public comment period is closed.

The board voted to postpone the first closed session until next meeting.

Chair Woods is introducing the Open Meetings Act policies about interviews, which must be held in open session.

Commissioners will interview the selected candidates, and select the top three. They will adopt that final list in open session and submit it to the mayor for his final consideration.

Bettison has walked up to the table for his interview. Some people in the audience applauded for him.

They are going to ask a select 7 questions from their list to save time.

Q: What’s your greatest accomplishment in your law enforcement career?

A: Educationally: Business certificate from the WSU Mike Ilitch School of Business; bachelors in criminal justice professional certificates from Oakland University and courses through the city.

He implemented a program called Jump Start which allowed him to help employ long-term unemployed residents. He also said he initiated the shot stoppers program, which funds organizations addressing violent crime in certain areas in the city.

Q: What reforms or innovative approaches would you prioritize to modernize policing?

(continued)

A: Improving officer performance and increasing public safety. He said it’s good that the DPD goes through their policies and practices frequently. He wants officers to have the highest level of training with mental health disorders and crisis management.

Q: What are your key strategies for reducing violent crime in the city while also addressing root causes such as mental health and education?

(continued)

A: Community Violence Intervention (CVI groups), expanding them into the city. He wants to have dispute resolution centers to mediate conflict. He also wants mobile dispute resolution centers, to address arguments and disputes that lead to violence.

Q: How do you plan to build trust and foster positive relationships between DPD and the diverse communities it serves?

A: (Amongst other things) “I’ve been doing that for 27 years.”

“I have deep roots.”

Q: Identify based on your knowledge of the city of Detroit and its demographics, the program areas you would focus on. Describe how you intend to undermine these tasks as new chief during your six months.

(continued)

A: Human trafficking, missing persons, sextortion, including a collaboration with DPSCD to protect children.

Q: What experiences have you had managing crises such as as large-scale demonstrations, natural disasters, or incidents of mass violence and how did you handle them?

A: He’s talking about protests during summer 2020. He said he was the first officer in the nation to take a knee at those protests.

He also mentions his experience working in the force during major events in the city like the NFL Draft. He mentions mass violence events in other cities, and he collaborates with sheriffs departments in surrounding communities.

Q: Anything you want to add?

A: He wants to increase the size of the missing persons unit and increase the capacity of the cold case units, mentioning complaints from grieving mothers who don’t have closure.

Bettison said he has the utmost respect for this board. People from the audience are clapping.

Onto the next interview.

They’re taking a brief break.

Next is Joel Fitzgerald.

He’s talking about his service in Allentown, PA, Missouri City, Texas, Waterloo, Iowa, and RTD in Denver. He advocates for community policing, creates mental health units and works with mental health agencies to further police departments.

Q: What reforms or innovative approaches would you prioritize to modernize policing?

A: He said there was a time where officers walked around and knew people in the community much better, and wants to reduce the size of beats, make police officers more accountable for qualitative performance, +

creating community violence groups, etc.

Q: What are your key strategies for reducing violent crime in the city while also addressing root causes such as mental health and education?

(continued)

A: He said we can be an occupying presence in a community or we can be people who help. Neighborhood oriented policing strategies, and building relationships with young people.

Q: How do you build trust and foster relationships between DPD and the diverse communities it serves?

(continued)

A: In Fort Worth there was a divide between community and police officers. Start involving people on panels and boards when hiring. Look twice at people they are disqualifying for things that do not impact their work performance.

Q: How will you ensure accountability within the department, especially in cases of misconduct or excessive use of force?

A: There needs to be surety of punishment in cases where there’s unnecessary and excess force. There needs to be a change in culture within the department.

Q: Identify, based on your knowledge of the City of Detroit and its demographics, the program areas you would focus on and describe how you intend to undertake these plans as new chief of police during the first six months.

(continued)

A: A new chief needs to meet people who are working on violence intervention, juveniles, etc. and discuss the new mission, vision, and values. He wants to hold focus groups to figure out what works, what doesn’t, and why. People need to have access to the chief.

He stresses creativity in recruiting.

Q: What experiences have you had managing crises such as large-scale demonstrations, natural disasters, or incidents of mass violence, and how did you handle them?

(continued)

A: As a major city chief, he’s handled a variety of situations like the Republican National Convention, sporting events, presidential visits, etc. He thoroughly understands investigations as well. He has to work with what they have in the agencies.

That wraps up the second interview.

Next will be Joshua Wallace.

Joshua Wallace is here online.

They’re starting the interview now.

Q: Summarize your educational background and work experience, and what is your greatest accomplishment in law enforcement and why?

A: He has been a supervisor with the Chicago PD for 12 years, and became commander of the second district.

His complaint history from the Invisible Institute:
https://cpdp.co/complaint/303257/

He’s a commander for the criminal network group in the Bureau of Counterterrorism.

Q: What reforms or innovative approaches would you prioritize to modernize policing, improve officer performance, and increase public safety?

A: He looks to Detroit for innovation–body worn cameras, less lethal options.

He thinks there should be daily audits on the cameras to make sure officers are using them correctly.

Q: What are your key strategies for reducing violent crime in the city while also addressing root causes such as mental health and education?

A: Focused on data-driven solutions, ensuring officers are in the right places at the right time.

He also believes in holding businesses accountable that allow crime to happen. Bringing technology for “eyes in the sky.”

He mentions gunshot detection in areas with higher rates of gunshots. He also mentions people with mental illnesses who don’t stick to treatment plan, or people are undiagnosed.

He said they utilize a co-responder model to handle things in a way that builds trust in the community.

Q: How do you plan to build trust and foster positive relationships between DPD and the diverse communities it serves?

A: He’s pro foot patrol, getting out of your vehicle and engaging with people. He said officers don’t always have to show up in uniform if that’s a turnoff for the community.

Q: How will you ensure accountability within the department, especially in cases of misconduct or use of force?

A: Laws are uphill. We have policies and procedures in place for a reason. There needs to be an early intervention system in place to make sure people are heading in the right direction.

Q: Identify based on your knowledge of the city of Detroit and its demographics, the program areas you would focus on, and describe how you intend to undertake these tasks as new chief of police during your first six months.

A: He wants to look a lot at funding, and whether they need to seek new funding sources.

Q: “What experiences have you had managing crises such as large-scale demonstrations, natural disasters, or incidents of mass violence and how did you handle them?

A: He said with disrupters in the DNC crowd. He said they dealt with looting in 2020 and prioritized protecting grocery stories and pharmacies because they were most important to the community.

He said transparency is key, and comes from a city with civilian oversight. But then he said”transparency is not always what you think it is”

He’s addressing that he was exonerated for the five day suspension from 2005 mentioned on the Invisible Institute site. https://cpdp.co/officer/32401/joshua-wallace/

The last two candidates yielded their candidacy. One yielded and endorsed Bettison. Now they are entering closed session to discuss the interviews they heard.

I will be back when they call the meeting back to order.

Meeting called back to order at 5:52 PM.

Commissioner Hernandez motioned to recommend all three candidates for the mayor’s consideration.

Meeting adjourned at 5:58 p.m

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