Board of Police Commissioners, Evening Community Meeting
Detroit Board of Police Commissioners
Criminal Justice
Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024
6:30 p.m. — 8:30 p.m. EDT
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
chandler vaughan
Public commenters demanded justice for the murder of Sherman Lee Butler. And police commissioners promised the mothers who spoke that they would follow-up on the cases of their missing and murdered sons.
Live reporting by
Nathaniel Eichenhorn
Public commenters demanded justice for the murder of Sherman Lee Butler. And police commissioners promised the mothers who spoke that they would follow-up on the cases of their missing and murdered sons.
Nachum Eichenhorn
@NachumDetroit
The gang's in full swing! We've got Documenters all over town! I'll be tweeting the BOPC meeting at 6:30, @PerrySylvester6 is over at the Brightmoor Econ Dev meeting, starting at 6, and @SherrieSoUltra at the Brightmoor Street Calming Priorities meeting.
05:00 PM Aug 8, 2024 CDT
The Street Calming Priorities meeting is also at 6, so hurry up if you want to follow those! @DetDocumenters #DETdocumenters & media partners @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganPublic @media_outlier @wdet @wxyzdetroit
@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganPublic @media_outlier @wdet @wxyzdetroit Sorry, @SherrieSoUltra's meeting was last month. Check it out here: https://x.com/sherriesoultra/status/1811508763234296048?s=61&t=kGSqH1UNxo2Rmrs59XQNvg
@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganPublic @media_outlier @wdet @wxyzdetroit @SherrieSoUltra The meeting was called to order at 6:30.
@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganPublic @media_outlier @wdet @wxyzdetroit @SherrieSoUltra Roll was as follows Woods present Bernard present Hernandez present Dewaelsche present Smith present
@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganPublic @media_outlier @wdet @wxyzdetroit @SherrieSoUltra The board is now presenting a resolution honoring veteran WDIV journalist Paula Tutman. Her recent documentary about the 1992 police killing of Malice Green.
@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganPublic @media_outlier @wdet @wxyzdetroit @SherrieSoUltra You can stream the doc here: clickondetroit.com/features/2024/…
clickondetroit.com/features/2024/…
@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganPublic @media_outlier @wdet @wxyzdetroit @SherrieSoUltra The motion to adopt the resolution carries unanimously
@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganPublic @media_outlier @wdet @wxyzdetroit @SherrieSoUltra After receiving her award and thanking the board, Titman received a standing ovation from those in attendance
@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganPublic @media_outlier @wdet @wxyzdetroit @SherrieSoUltra The chief investigator isn't present to give the community action report, so the board moved on to the Chief of Police report
@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganPublic @media_outlier @wdet @wxyzdetroit @SherrieSoUltra The presentation is mostly a dry numbers report. We have these numbers here And here detroit.documenters.org/documents/2408… detroit.documenters.org/documents/2408…
detroit.documenters.org/documents/2408…
detroit.documenters.org/documents/2408…
@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganPublic @media_outlier @wdet @wxyzdetroit @SherrieSoUltra Some individual incidents were detailed. Two reports of dead bodies, one of which was found with blunt head trauma, the other was found indoors, in a chair, deceased with what was described as "facial wounds"
@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganPublic @media_outlier @wdet @wxyzdetroit @SherrieSoUltra And Shotspotter picked up a shooting that DPD found ended in one death and two injuries.
@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganPublic @media_outlier @wdet @wxyzdetroit @SherrieSoUltra Hernandez: we haven't received timely reports on officer-involved shootings, and they are required by statute to be released. When will body cam footage be released?
@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganPublic @media_outlier @wdet @wxyzdetroit @SherrieSoUltra Hernandez also notes a recent dearth if incident reports and recommendations for suspension w/o pay. It's been a busy time in the city, high summer. It seems odd and Hernandez wants an explanation
@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganPublic @media_outlier @wdet @wxyzdetroit @SherrieSoUltra Now the board is hearing the 5th Precinct report
@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganPublic @media_outlier @wdet @wxyzdetroit @SherrieSoUltra Murders and sexual assaults are down by more than 30%, but aggravated assaults are up. Most of these reports are related to domestic violence
@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganPublic @media_outlier @wdet @wxyzdetroit @SherrieSoUltra The 5th is doing work on restorative justice, and Councilmember Bernard praised restorative justice and it's impact on the community
@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganPublic @media_outlier @wdet @wxyzdetroit @SherrieSoUltra DPD says that officers have learned how to better interact with citizens by sitting with them and hearing about the impact things like tone of voice and general comportment have on interpersonal interactions
@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganPublic @media_outlier @wdet @wxyzdetroit @SherrieSoUltra Chief investigator Jerome Warfield has arrived and is now giving the community impact report
@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganPublic @media_outlier @wdet @wxyzdetroit @SherrieSoUltra That huge "procedure" category is mostly issues with body cameras. Cameras turned off, covered, not worn, etc
@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganPublic @media_outlier @wdet @wxyzdetroit @SherrieSoUltra Warfield reports that the DPD has formed a task force to work through the backlog of TIP (trafficking in persons) reports
@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganPublic @media_outlier @wdet @wxyzdetroit @SherrieSoUltra Warfield mentioned that officers keep vaping while on duty, and that it's been difficult to get them to stop
@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganPublic @media_outlier @wdet @wxyzdetroit @SherrieSoUltra Bernard: most of the complaints, totalling 242 in number just this month, concern either procedure, demeanor, and service. These are basic things. It would behoove the department to do some serious, department-wide retraining.
@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganPublic @media_outlier @wdet @wxyzdetroit @SherrieSoUltra "As a lawyer, if I kept making dumb mistakes I'd be thankful for some retraining"
@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganPublic @media_outlier @wdet @wxyzdetroit @SherrieSoUltra Warfield: We have systems in place that mandate meetings with officers who receive complaints.
@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganPublic @media_outlier @wdet @wxyzdetroit @SherrieSoUltra The board is now moving on to public comment
@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganPublic @media_outlier @wdet @wxyzdetroit @SherrieSoUltra The first commenter noted that the police union routinely stands in the way of police accountability
@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganPublic @media_outlier @wdet @wxyzdetroit @SherrieSoUltra The next commenter spoke about the killing of Sherman Butler. Butler was killed by a court bailiff in the course of being evicted from his home
@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganPublic @media_outlier @wdet @wxyzdetroit @SherrieSoUltra The commenter said that Mr. Butler's mother only received his body 45 days after his killing. She further said that the body cam footage, officer reports, and even officer names and badge numbers have yet to be released to the public.
@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganPublic @media_outlier @wdet @wxyzdetroit @SherrieSoUltra The next commenter echoed those sentiments, and added that recent court cases have suggested or held outright that police have no duty to protect citizens from violence. They claimed that the police were there to protect the bailiff, and the bailiff was there to protect property
@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganPublic @media_outlier @wdet @wxyzdetroit @SherrieSoUltra The next commenter brought up the case of their mother, who they claim was murdered. Comm'r Bernard, aware of this case, attempted to make a a motion, but the chair would not entertain the motion
@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganPublic @media_outlier @wdet @wxyzdetroit @SherrieSoUltra The next commenter urges an end to no-knock warrants. DPD responded that DPD does not execute no-knock warrants and the practice was banned in the city.
@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganPublic @media_outlier @wdet @wxyzdetroit @SherrieSoUltra The next commenter represents Feed Your Neighborhood. They reported that a person has been squatting in their community hub and has stolen thousands of dollars of donations, and that the police have not even taken reports.
@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganPublic @media_outlier @wdet @wxyzdetroit @SherrieSoUltra The present commenter's son was murdered. She reports that the investigator in charge of her son's case has been ghosting her for 3 years. She said she's been on TV, she's been on Crimestoppers, and nothing
@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganPublic @media_outlier @wdet @wxyzdetroit @SherrieSoUltra The commissioners said they were outraged and DPD said they would have an officer talk to her google.com/amp/s/www.fox2… macombdaily.com/2022/11/08/eas…
google.com/amp/s/www.fox2…
macombdaily.com/2022/11/08/eas…
@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganPublic @media_outlier @wdet @wxyzdetroit @SherrieSoUltra The next commenter is also the mother of a murdered son. She reports that since the detective in charge was promoted, she has been left hanging by the department
@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganPublic @media_outlier @wdet @wxyzdetroit @SherrieSoUltra Chairperson Woods said these incidents are unacceptable and promised the last commenter that the issue would be resolved.
@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganPublic @media_outlier @wdet @wxyzdetroit @SherrieSoUltra The next commenter said her son has been missing for 7 days. She said after making the police report, the police botched his description and she has heard nothing since.
@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganPublic @media_outlier @wdet @wxyzdetroit @SherrieSoUltra The next commenter took issue with what he considers lack of action regarding red light runners and drag racing
@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganPublic @media_outlier @wdet @wxyzdetroit @SherrieSoUltra The next commenter represents The Coalition for Police Transparency and Accountability. She spoke about the Sherman Butler case, and derided what she described as a culture of apathy in the police department
@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganPublic @media_outlier @wdet @wxyzdetroit @SherrieSoUltra The meeting was adjourned at 8:29pm
@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganPublic @media_outlier @wdet @wxyzdetroit @SherrieSoUltra Well folks, this closes my coverage of the Detroit BOPC meeting for August 8, 2024. Learn more about our coverage of local meetings at documenters.org
documenters.org
@DetDocumenters @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganPublic @media_outlier @wdet @wxyzdetroit @SherrieSoUltra If you believe anything in the coverage today is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@outliermedia.org with "Correction Request" in the subject line
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
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