Board of Police Commissioners
Detroit Board of Police Commissioners
Criminal Justice
Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024
3:00 p.m. — 6:00 p.m. EST
Remote
Join meeting on Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81981390642
Check the source website for additional information
Reporting
Edited and summarized by the Detroit - MI Documenters Team
Note-taking by
Damien Benson
Following the release of the Office of Inspector General's report detailing improper handling of citizen complaints alleging police misconduct — in which Commissioners Willie Bell and Lisa Carter were both named — the board removed Bell as vice chair of the BOPC.
Live reporting by
Pamela Taylor
Following the release of the Office of Inspector General's report detailing improper handling of citizen complaints alleging police misconduct — in which Commissioners Willie Bell and Lisa Carter were both named — the board removed Bell as vice chair of the BOPC.
PTaylor
@ptdocsdetroit
Hi, I’ll be live-tweeting today's Board of Police Commissioners meeting at 3p for #DETdocumenters @DetDocumenters media partners: @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @Michigan_Public @media_outlier @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit
12:19 PM Feb 29, 2024 CST
Whew....I need a teenager. Trying to post visuals...that took alot and I bet a 13 yo would have done it in 2 seconds.
Meeting called to order @ 3pm. There isn't a quorum so they have moved to Department reports. The first report is from Investigations. The investigations/investigators report is dealing with citizen complaints.
At 3:14, quorum hasn't been achieved so the chairperson has moved to Public Comments.
The first person is acknowledging the Chief's presence in Washington DC with President Biden acknowledging Detroit's lower crime rate.
The first person is acknowledging the Chief's presence in Washington DC with President Biden acknowledging Detroit's lower crime rate.
However, the citizen is asking about the 11 year old who was killed sleeping on the couch. Wonders what is happening in the city? What type of parenting is happening when the alleged perpetrators
At 3:18, there is a quorum. Introduction of the commissioners/roll call. Agenda has been approved and minutes for the last meeting is approved. The closed session meeting minutes are approved.
Chief Investigator Warfield is introducing various officials present at the meeting.
Chief of Police Report: Proud of the reduction in crime to pre pandemic levels. Reviewing weekly overview crime report. Please see links tweeted earlier.
Chief of Police Reports include various shootings and carjackings that have taken place in the city during the previous week. Many of these crimes have not been solved. Citizens with information are encouraged to contact 1-800-Speak Up or Rewards TV
Chief of Police report includes various meetings at differenct precincts, senior bingo etc.
Chief is addressing media reports on technology being used in the city. Shot spotter technology-various media reports criticizing how the technology is being used. The chief's report is highlighting the effectiveness of the technology. The report discusses how gunshots
have become "white noise" in various communities and not being reported through the 911 system. However, shot spotter alerts help identify shots fired that are not reported through 911. The infrastructure Detroit has in place is crucial to the "success" of the system.
Acknowledging the breach by the developer. Stressing that Detroit uses the technology ethically, constitutionally. The technology picks up on the percussion on gunfire outdoors. It does not pick up gunfire indoors. Doesn't pick up conversations.
Is there a concern about vandalism since the location of the technology has been made public. Chiefs office acknowledges concern since its expensive and belongs to the people however concern about vandalism will not deter the use of the technology
Shot spotter year end report will be sent to the Board by the close of business tomorrow, Friday, March 1st. Monthly reports will continue has scheduled.
Commissioner Bell acknowledging the DPD officer that has been on the force more than 50 years. Officer Tillman Blair is the officer. The Chief's office has offered to invite the officer to the next meeting to be acknowledged.
Commissioner Burton has brought up the need for additional data relative to the technology. Has it really helped to reduce gun violence or is it racist and is it violating civil liberties and rights in the black community? The response is unapologetic about the use
The chiefs office maintains that it's an integral part of the lowering of gun related crime. Commissioner Burton is noting that other major cities are pulling away from the technology because its unreliable, there haven't been studies, or discussions. Commissioner Burton
has stated that he plans to introduce a motion to pause the use of Shot Spotter until more information is available.
Commissioner Woods: If the technology is saving lives, the commissioner is not willing to have blood on his hands. Until data shows that it is violating citizen rights, the commissioner still supports the technology.
Commissioner Hayes: Supports the technology to help the citizen who have suffered from high rates of crimes for decades. The use of technology is supported but also accepts the responsibility to make sure the civil liberties of the citizens are protected.
Commissioner Burton: What other cities does the city share data with and their policies? Data will be forthcoming
Motion introduced to pause the technology Shot Spotter? There was no second.
Motion introduced to pause the technology Shot Spotter? There was no second.
Back to Public Comment:
What are each of us doing to help their community?
OAG/OIG report on the Board of Police Commissioners that was published today. Details how commissioners have violated rules etc.
What are each of us doing to help their community?
OAG/OIG report on the Board of Police Commissioners that was published today. Details how commissioners have violated rules etc.
Rut roh, there appears to be some type of disturbance after a citizen discussed Commissioner Woods criminal record.
A citizen is complaining about being disrespected by a contractor who called her a "Black B****", the lack of response by the city officials and would like an apology.
A 2nd citizen is complaining about the contractors being allowed to park heavy machinery on one of her lots.
A 2nd citizen is complaining about the contractors being allowed to park heavy machinery on one of her lots.
Contractors were allowed by DPD to park machinery on her property and bent her expensive fence. This citizen is also anti shot spotter.
Citizen: Shot Stoppers works better than Shot Spotters because Shot Stoppers is proactive. Citizen taking responsibility for their community. Also, the city doesn't want/need robot dogs. Citizen thinks the youth of the city need to be engaged more and encouraged to attend
Zoom citizen: Shot Spotters-the citizenhave been lied to about the location of the technology and data is being shared illegally with other cities and suburban communities violating citizens rights. Commissioners should be ashamed as they are an oversight board and not
Citizen: believes that Shot Spotters will land the city in court. Feels that the technology is lazy. The city needs more officers in the community.
Citizen: Anti Shot Spotters. Violation of citizens rights by recording conversations and transmitted. The information is accessible. The article in Wired Magazine proves that the technology is not secure.
Citizen: Former Commissioner Davis believes that the earlier citizen complaint will be investigated. The OIG report should be reviewed. Accused Commissioners Bell and Carter of being corrupt and may end up causing the city to return to oversight by the justice department.
Agenda Item 11: Presentation by Victims Assistant Program. Powerpoint link tweeted earlier.
detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitm…
Pandemic helped the public acknowledge the importance of the social workers/advocates. Salaries were increased and the organization was able to become more competitive when recruiting staff.
The Chief of Police's background in counseling and understanding of the importance of mental health has been advantageous to this agency.
Would like to hire 5 additional social workers to work at the precinct level as well as in their main office.
The grant for this agency is written for domestic assault, secondary victims of homicide and sexual assault
Agenda Item 12: Appointments and Promotions are in the commissioners binders and being reviewed by appropriate committees.
New Business: OIG report identifies 2 members that have engaged in misconduct and willful neglect of duty.
Motion approved to remove Willie Bell from the Vice Chair position. The position is now vacant.
Motion approved to remove Willie Bell from the Vice Chair position. The position is now vacant.
Concern about Commissioner's expressing opposition to the Shot Spotter technology publicly on TV and in the meeting. Stating that some of the information presented against Shot Spotter was manipulative and irresponsible.
Fatal incident response time:
11 year old- 7 mins 38 seconds
Incident on Concord St.- 4 minutes
The response time for these incidents was requested earlier by Commissioner Burton.
11 year old- 7 mins 38 seconds
Incident on Concord St.- 4 minutes
The response time for these incidents was requested earlier by Commissioner Burton.
Meeting adjourned at 5:11 p.m. This concludes live tweeting for the Board of Police Commissioners meeting. The next BOPC meeting is scheduled for March 7, 2024. For more meeting coverage, check out
documenters.org
I will post screen shots from Chief of Police Report (Agenda item 7) concerning citizen complaints later this evening.
Also, Agenda item 7 (A): Out of Class Pay for Acting Supervising Investigator Elgin Murphy. The amount approved was $80,000.00
If you believe anything in the coverage today is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@outliermedia.org with “Correction Request” in the subject line.
What up Doe! See y'all later on with screenshots. Have a great evening Detroit! Another glorious day in the D!
Well...Bridge Detroit published an article on the OIG report. Link:
bridgedetroit.com/detroit-police…
Chief Investigator Warfield reminded commissioners and the public that the department has been understaffed. Presently 10/15 investigators have been on the job 2 years or less.
The case load is above industry standards. There is a need for at least 8 additional investigators.
The department is implementing a new strategy to deal with current and backlogged complaints. The Timeliness Initiative Project
7 Point Plan includes notifying citizens that they haven't been forgotten and a New Case Management System to reduce the amount of time it takes to format/document cases.
The following screenshots are from the new case management software system designed to streamline and reduce the time spent on inputting information. The average amount of time spent inputting information was 5-8 hours. The new system is designed to reduce the time to 1-4 hours.
Looking at the backlog of complaints, Chief Investigator Warfield reminded commissioners and the public that the department has been understaffed. Presently 10/15 investigators have been on the job 2 years or less. it for the Chief Investigators Report.
Thats it for the Board of Police Commissioners Meeting. I think my thread is broken. Gotta find out how to fix that and be more mindful in the future. I wonder if it has anything to do with recovering tweets you saved as a draft? I bet I will find out when I receive feedback!
One thing I am gonna do is take a look at the OIG report.
Here's the link again in case you missed it!
detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitm…
Here's the link again in case you missed it!
Attachments
Agency Information
Detroit Board of Police Commissioners
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
Documents
2/29/2024
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