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With that, this meeting is adjourned at 7:53pm!
That concludes oral reports, all of the upcoming meetings are being listed out to the room. Luckily for you, I can just link them here and you can just scroll down to News and Events;
detroitmi.gov/government/b...
Madam Chair emphasizes that future emails should be sent through the official channels ( Madam secretary) so that stuff like this doesn’t happen in the future.
The passive aggression in this room is making my stomach hurt. On one hand I do truly respect passionate people, on the other- accidents happen and emails are wonky!! Geez.
The motion carries.
A motion is on the floor to postpone this motion until next week.
There’s a bit of a tizzy about what language specifically they want to amend to the ordinance- Commissioner Camille keeps referencing a draft ordinance she received from an organization- some on the board received it and some didn’t.
This concludes public comment .
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A motion is proposed by Commissioner Camille, seconded immediately- to submit a memo to city council requesting they revisit the body cam ordinance with proper revisions.
His tone is rather threatening, and sounds… a bit under the influence. Even though I personally consider that inappropriate- the next commenter just straight up laughs at him. Which … I consider equally inappropriate.
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Either or, she thanks the board for their hard work.
This phone call is kind of hard to hear, but he alleges that the DPD homicide department has been covering up murders.
His email is received with much enthusiasm.
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Moving on to zoom.
The board kind of agrees to see it for themselves and schedule a meeting with Chief Bettison, as well as listening to the commenter saying he has his own photos from his old coworkers and such proving this cross contamination and neglect in that department.
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He is going to email it to the board.
The final in person commenter, a district 5 resident- says he’s a forensic scientist who used to work with DPD before their department ruined his passion for the work. Citing multiple oversights and signs of neglect for the forensic unit, requesting that the board look into it.
A response is given by a stand in for Chief Bettison that the seriousness of the situation is also a factory in who 911 calls back. Although, he seems unsatisfied with that response himself- also offering that their policy on that potentially be updated.
This next speaker, Charles Cousin, spoke at the last meeting. Letting it be known that his calls to 911 keep getting dropped, saying that policy requires 911 operators to call back- and he wants to see efforts to bridge the gap between the board and their operators.
More voices about body cam footage in Detroit make themselves heard in the room.
The next resident, a Ms.Howell, just really praises the Helen Moore center for honoring her legacy. She then goes on to express concern about the body cam ordinance, rather the fact that the information is not instantly available to the people online.
Another speaker mentions that even rookies with DPD make more than your average family, and that perspective is an important thing to consider when you’re policing people you have a financial advantage over.
The article I sent earlier about a recent officer’s misconduct is mentioned by the next commenter, he exclaims his own disgust about the situation- and raves on behalf of the people’s body cam ordinance. Calling it the bare minimum.
“The ordinance that the city council has approved is so deluded it’s almost meaningless.” He rants, in reference to the body cam ordinance in place before running out of time to speak.
www.bridgedetroit.com/will-detroit...
Another speaker (Eric Blunt) also recalls his times in this precinct. He sternly says after, not to be disillusioned by crime reports- when the true aim of this board is to address police misconduct.
“We really need to know what methods or systems you have to detect and deter police misconduct.”
He encourages everyone to read the cases they discuss in full, and that’s about all!
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The next commenter says she’s glad Mary Sheffield didn’t unseat Todd Bettison from position. She reminisces also,
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“It’s a pleasure to see Helen’s center. Helen and I have marched many a time…god is good.”
Time for public comment! First speaker is Former commissioner Davis !
Commissioner Scott Bowman comments to say he wants the board to be much more involved with interviewing investigators in the future. Saying the process could be improved.
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Commissioner Woods offers a rebuttal implying he just missed the information in his emails.
The sentiment is echoed throughout the room, ending with Commissioner Woods talking about a special meeting tomorrow concerning suspending an officer without pay.
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I don’t know what exactly they’re referring to, and they aren’t allowed to say! I think it’s this:
www.freep.com/story/news/l...
A comment is given by Board member Victoria Camille, saying she’s fully confident in their ability to advocate for justice among residents- and commending their service.
The only new buisness is a motion to appoint Destiny Staffy and Nicole Meisner (? Their names aren’t written anywhere so I hope I’m spelling that right.) to Senior Investigator.
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It passes fluidly, these two are promoted and pictures are taken!
There’s a motion to discuss New business next on the agenda. It’s seconded and goes through.
That concludes his report.
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Following that is a comment from Commissioner Watts offering her assistance in securing gun locks, if she can help in any way.
