Live reporting by
Meghan Rutigliano
Fireworks safety strategy sparks debate; outgoing Chair QuanTez Pressley bids farewell; and commissioners discuss strategies for recruiting officers from Detroit.
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01:58 PM Jun 27, 2024 CDT
The public is invited to join in person, by Zoom, or over the phone. The meeting will be held in person at Detroit Public Safety Headquarters - Skylar Herbert Room, 1301 Third St, Detroit, MI, 48226. For Zoom/Phone info, visit: the source website here:
detroitmi.gov/events/board-p…
IMPORTANT: If you believe anything in the coverage today is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@outliermedia.org with "Correction Request" in the subject line.
There will be time allotted for public comment. Please use the following link to sign up for public comments
(Limit Comments to Two Minutes)
app.smartsheet.com/b/form/d26fa38…
(Limit Comments to Two Minutes)
Meeting started at 3:01. They are actually beginning right now with public comment.
That was because they didn't have a quorum. They are pausing public comments. Darryl Woods made quorum. They are now pausing public comment. They are moving to approve agenda.
(Resolution adopted.)
B. OCI Investigator Salary Range $62,000 - $80,000
⬆️In order to discuss the item, they are moving into closed session.
B. OCI Investigator Salary Range $62,000 - $80,000
⬆️In order to discuss the item, they are moving into closed session.
They are back in open session.
(motion passed)
This item is being moved to after police report.
C. Appointment to the Rank of Captain – Lieutenant Sederick Dunbar
(motion passed)
This item is being moved to after police report.
C. Appointment to the Rank of Captain – Lieutenant Sederick Dunbar
Chief of Police Report:
Reduction in crimes across categories.
Total reduction of 11% in violent crimes
Reduction in crimes across categories.
Total reduction of 11% in violent crimes
Big area of concern this Summer is the street parties. 9 women under 30 were either shot or killed over the past 2 months.
-Fatal shooting of Oakland County Sheriff :
-Another fatal incident is under investigation. This was house party related.
wxyz.com/news/teen-char…
-Fatal shooting of Oakland County Sheriff :
-Another fatal incident is under investigation. This was house party related.
Fireworks on Monday concluded without major incident.
Chief James E. White is the one giving the report.
Chief James E. White is the one giving the report.
White addressing why parks were closed during Fireworks. He's clarifying that the parks closed early previously to ensure that the public didn't set up camp in the parks and then be told to leave at 9/10pm.
-It's a FALSE narrative, he says, that the DPD closed MORE parks.
-It's a FALSE narrative, he says, that the DPD closed MORE parks.
He's saying he took the time to watch the recently released film about Detroit's history. It's called Malice Green. White saying he hired a risk assessment lead to mitigate these dangers related to police violence moving forward. (
clickondetroit.com/features/2024/…
The current Director of Risk Management is speaking about his interest in ensuring that the BOPC has materials and training to intervene early to prevent these behaviors. (Context: )
detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitm…
Bernard is thanking the police about NFL draft, she's now talking about Detroiters not being able to watch fireworks from the Riverwalk. She wants the parks to stay open through the fireworks. It's a big event and shouldn't be shut down.
Bernard is addressing White directly. White's going to bat for why he closed parks down for fireworks. He wants to keep community safe, says Bernard voted for him. Seeks understanding. He's saying unfair to compare fireworks to NFL draft. He stands firm by his decisions.
She's responding that poor people couldn't see the fireworks. Pressley saying he thinks they should "agree to disagree".
Woods is saying that he lives on Jefferson and it was
"lit up" in a positive way. Woods is raising questions about legal monitors and issuing tickets at protests. Green hats. White to look into it and if any impropriety on DPD's part, address it.
"lit up" in a positive way. Woods is raising questions about legal monitors and issuing tickets at protests. Green hats. White to look into it and if any impropriety on DPD's part, address it.
White is promising to bring a report to the BOPC in two weeks time (or sooner).
Barnard also talking about Deputy Chief Hayes
Barnard also talking about Deputy Chief Hayes
They're back on parties and policing. White saying that he has to shut the parties down in order to ensure public safety. Social media posts are spreading the word about events and they are getting rather large.
Woods acknowledging White for his leadership around the $175M budget for CVI and other safety measures.
They are back to this item: C. Appointment to the Rank of Captain – Lieutenant Sederick Dunbar
White praising him for his outstanding performance of his duties, high risk apprehensions of those who "don't want to be caught". He's a great leader. Aww. He's being praised by Woods.
White praising him for his outstanding performance of his duties, high risk apprehensions of those who "don't want to be caught". He's a great leader. Aww. He's being praised by Woods.
Woods saying he did his due diligence and acknowledging him for his leadership. 😊
Motion passes to this big promotion to Captain from Lt.
Congrats.
Motion passes to this big promotion to Captain from Lt.
Congrats.
Dunbar receiving the praise, thanks to his family, his mentors, etc. He says he's dedicated to Detroit, having been raised on Fenkell & Greenfield. They're being cute and teasing him for slacking. He's a rock star scholar at WSU Masters Program in Criminal Justice.
Presentation to the board by HR dept. Patello to present May report. Presentation to the BoardA. Human Resources Bureau (10 Minutes)
New training class started today. Patello sharing about work they've done to engage new applicants through public engagement/recruitment efforts.
Bernard asking what Patello and her team have done to recruit in Detroit because it's a big issue that a lot of applicants are NOT from Detroit.
Patello says they're in Detroit Public High Schools.
Bernard is saying she thinks they could perhaps start grooming kids to be interested at an even early age.
Pressley says it's a tough question because people move and their lives change.
Bernard is saying she thinks they could perhaps start grooming kids to be interested at an even early age.
Pressley says it's a tough question because people move and their lives change.
Bernard is saying that ROTC recruits even earlier.
Asking: is there a campaign designed for HS kids to target them? (personally I think it's a strange question)
Asking: is there a campaign designed for HS kids to target them? (personally I think it's a strange question)
Hernandez is saying he thinks there's a narrative proliferating that calls out having DPD not staffed with Detroiters. He says that discounts people who grew up here and just happen to live nearby. Wants a new survey about the numbers and the narrative.
Clarification on previous tweet: not a Survey about the numbers, rather that he thinks the numbers lack context that clarifies how many DPD officers grew up and have familial history here.
They're on Unfinished business.
Unfinished Business
A. BOPC Organizational Chart
Unfinished Business
A. BOPC Organizational Chart
New Business
A. Policy Committee Memorandum
Bernard is presenting.
A. Policy Committee Memorandum
Bernard is presenting.
Hernandez wants to expedite hiring process.
Pressley says it's his final meeting as the chair.
Thanks the group for trusting him to lead the body. Says it's presented a big set of challenges but he's excited about supporting new chair and vice chair in next chapter.
Pressley says it's his final meeting as the chair.
Thanks the group for trusting him to lead the body. Says it's presented a big set of challenges but he's excited about supporting new chair and vice chair in next chapter.
Pressley thanking Detroit residents.
Motion to suspend next week's meeting over 4th of July. Motion passes.
Woods acknowledging Pressley for his dignity and dedication. Says he went to the Supreme Court in DC and got Pressley a gavel as a present on behalf of the team.
Motion to suspend next week's meeting over 4th of July. Motion passes.
Woods acknowledging Pressley for his dignity and dedication. Says he went to the Supreme Court in DC and got Pressley a gavel as a present on behalf of the team.
Woods says Pressley got the team almost fully staffed. Says Pressley has done his work with a lot of eloquence.
Meeting adjourned at exactly 5pm.
Meeting adjourned at exactly 5pm.
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, July 11, 2024 @ 6:30 p.m. 6th Precinct @ Citadel of Praise 20280 Lyndon St., Detroit MI 48223
This concludes my coverage of the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners meeting today. For information about the next meeting, visit:
detroitmi.gov/government/boa…