Chairperson Vice-Chair

DETROIT BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS Minutes of the Board of Police Commissioners Meeting Thursday, May 5, 2011 A regularly scheduled meeting of the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners (BOPC) was held at Detroit Police Headquarters, 1300 Beaubien, room 328-A, Detroit, MI, on Thursday, May 5, 2011. Commission Chair Jerome L. Warfield, Sr., in the chair, and Mr. George N. Anthony as secretary, convened the meeting at approximately 3:05 p.m. Present: Commission Vice Chair Adela Rivera Absent: Commissioners Toney Stewart (funeral) and Donnell R. White The presence of two (2) commissioners failed to establish a quorum. Assistant Chief (AC) Chester Logan represented the Department. Pastor Mike Davis gave the invocation. Approval of the meeting minutes for Thursday, April 28, 2011 was postponed until the regularly scheduled meeting on May 12, 2011. Chairman Warfield announced that he intended to call for a special meeting of the BOPC next week to consider the Chiefs recommendations to suspend several officers without pay: George Loynes, (badge 982), Leonard Ball (badge 973), Jamil Martin (badge 5008) and Henry Jackson (badge 3829). AC Logan introduced Commander John Serda who made a presentation on the Human Resources Bureau. Chairman Warfield offered the BOPCs assistance in trying to get the City to hire and fill vacant positions. Although problems with hiring were attributed to budgetary concerns, Chairman Warfield indicated that it should not be a budget issue when the vacancies are already accounted for in the budget. AC Logan stated that the Department is close to its budgeted

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allotment. Commissioner Rivera asked about Hispanic representation in the Department. She was informed that the Department is underrepresented and that the last census indicated 6.8% Hispanic population in the City. In raw numbers, there are approximately 82 Hispanic males and 17 Hispanic females in the Department. The Department also stated that in an effort to recruit more Hispanic members, the Department goes to high schools and attends career fairs in Southwest Detroit, as well as publishes help wanted ads in Hispanic publications. Commissioner Rivera suggested that the help wanted ads be concentrated more so in local publications and directed that the Department provide the BOPC with statistics by next week on the number of Hispanic candidates applying for police officer positions. Chairman Warfield indicated that the BOPC had received retirement resolutions for Deputy Chief Gail Wilson-Turner and Sergeant Roy Jopes, as well as a request to accept an increase in the Safe Communities: Underage Drinking Grant for the Fiscal Year 2010-2011 but that the BOPC could not vote to accept these items due to lack of a quorum. Chairman Warfield announced that the next meeting date for the BOPC will be Thursday, May 12, 2011 at 6:30 p.m., at Leland Missionary Baptist Church, 22420 Fenkell, Detroit MI 48223. The BOPC entertained oral communications from the public: Ms. S. Pannell thanked the Department and 2nd Deputy Chief Melvin Turner for a Neighborhood Watch sign. Mr. B. Holloway stated he was the victim of a recent shooting in a nightclub and expressed difficulties in meeting with Sergeant Whitley, the officer in charge (OIC) of the case. AC Logan referred him to Deputy Chief James Tolbert. Ms. Yolanda McCants (NE Community Council) expressed her support for Commander Frankie Lewis remaining in the Northeast District. AC Logan expressed the Departments philosophy in making executive transfers and indicated that Commander Debra Fair would be replacing Lewis. Evangelist Dora Hatcher, also in support of Commander Lewis, asked that the Chief ask himself what is best for the people? She expressed concern that the community would have to learn the ways of a new leader anew and that the Chief had earlier promised not to move Commander Lewis anytime soon. She also observed that the Northeast District Community Relations is in disarray.

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Ms. Kim Jackson offered that a community cannot get to know its commander if they are moved every few months. Ms. Y. Williamson indicated that her son was the victim of identity theft and that he had been reported missing. She said her sons body was found on March 24 and that his vehicle had been parked in the police parking lot. She wanted to know who was investigating the case and mentioned that a Sergeant Hughes was on vacation. Ms. Williamson was referred to Deputy Chief Paul Welles and Chief Investigator Tina Orr. James & Kina Jackson complained that they were harassed on April 30 by 3 narcotics officers who failed to identify themselves and pulled weapons. Mr. Jackson stated he received several citations and that he was detained for 2 hours. Ms. Andrea Clark wanted an update on the investigation in the death of her son at the Kingdom Nightclub. She stated that she cant contact anyone at Homicide. She also indicated that officers are familiar and friendly with the Kingdom staff. She advised that she has a video of a Friday night outside the club and commented on a number of problems (e.g., shootings, speeding, etc.) associated with the club. AC Logan reminded her of her meeting with Deputy Chief Welles on May 9 and asked her to be patient until then. Ms. Jennifer Thomas stated that Councilman Gary Brown referred her to the BOPC. She complained of vandalism to her apartment and failure by the Department to conduct an investigation or to check for fingerprints on her belongings. AC Logan referred her to Sergeant Sims. Mr. Holiday alleged he was harassed by police officers the previous Saturday on Pembroke Street. He stated that police handcuffed him and accused him of having marijuana. He also said that the officers drove his mothers car to the precinct. There was a question regarding whether it violated Department policy for officers to drive citizens vehicles. There was also an issue regarding a tow truck being called. Mr. Holiday was referred to Lieutenant Tim Leach (OCI) and Deputy Chief Welles. Mrs. Holiday (mother), in support of her sons claims, stated that an officer told her to come to the 6th Precinct to get her car. She referred to an Officer Jackson. She informed the BOPC that her car was towed from the 6th Precinct, that she received a $110 bill for the tow from Michigan Auto Recovery and that her car was damaged. Mr. Joseph Jackson, a friend of Mr. Holiday, supported his friends contention that they did not possess marijuana on the night in question.

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Sergeant Junetta Wynn, President of the Detroit Police Lieutenants and Sergeants Association, informed the BOPC that all grievances regarding lump sum payments had been heard by AC Logan. She also indicated that she served notice on Mr. Norm White regarding the Citys failure to pay the lump sum amounts to her retired and current membership. She requested that the BOPC meet with the Mayor, Chief, City Council and Budget to persuade the City to pay in accordance with a court order. Chairman Warfield noted that inaction costs the City money when the amounts owed are not paid on time. He added that this is money that the officers earned. Ms. Weathers, Jacobys Bar, supported Ms. Clarks observations on the shootings and speeders in the area of the Kingdom Nightclub. Jacobys is located around the corner from the Kingdom club. She stated that she wrote letters to Karen Dumas and Chris DeRozier (Dangerous Buildings) and there has been little follow-up. She also cited a shooting incident on December 19, and stated that she has contacted the MLCC. Ms. Julie Semma (7 Ds Towing) expressed her sadness that Commander Frankie Lewis is being transferred away from the Northeast District. She echoed others by saying that the District does not need change at this time. She also asked about the implementation of the new towing rotation rules. Chairman Warfield added that he did not understand why the new rules had not been implemented but observed that the Charter limits the BOPC from enforcing its own rules the Charter only allows the promulgation of the rules. He indicated that the City administration knows of the BOPCs stance in this regard, and stated that since the Building and Safety Engineering Department (BSE) had been mentioned as being the reason for the slowed process associated with towing permit applications, that the director of BSE be invited to an upcoming meeting to inform the public on these and other issues. BOPC Attorney Celia Banks-Washington addressed the BOPC by adding that the Law Department wrote a memo to the Deputy Mayor stating that there was no legal issue or problem with implementing the new rotation rules. She added that the Law Department was initially misled regarding the issue but later issued a statement that there was no impediment to putting the rules into immediate effect. Lieutenant Robbin Rivers, Labor Relations, addressed the BOPC by saying that her department is trying to clear up the lump sum payment issue. She identified the DROP Plan as creating additional employees who could receive lump sum payments and said that there was an unanticipated increase in the spending from the budget for this purpose. Attorney Washington again addressed the BOPC, this time on the

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issue of officers driving citizens vehicles. She suggested that the Department provide its policy on the issue. The BOPC made a formal request for the policy. AC Logan replied that the Department would address the issue formally at the next meeting. Mr. Greg Regal, Michigan Auto Recovery, in response to an earlier comment by Mrs. Holiday stated that a vehicles condition is the same as received and that he would work things out with Mrs. Holiday. In final remarks, Chairman Warfield commented on the remarks made regarding command changes and how it disrupts a communitys harmony. He urged that when there is a good community partnership, the Chief should consider maintaining the status quo because it fosters community stability. The meeting adjourned at approximately 4:55 p.m.

GEORGE N. ANTHONY Secretary to the Board

Approved: _________________