HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 19, 2024 Board of Police Commissioners Minutes of Meeting - Approved
“Capital City’s Finest”
Lansing Police Department
Board of Police Commissioners
120 West Michigan Avenue
Lansing, MI 48933
Phone: (517) 483-6040
BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS
MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Location: Lansing Police Department Headquarters, 120 W. Michigan Avenue, Lansing, MI; 2nd Floor.
The Board of Police Commissioners met in regular session and the meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m.
by Chairperson Jones.
Present: Commission Members: Bitely, Brewster, Farhat, Jones, Lopez, and Milton
Also Present: Chief Ellery Sosebee and Assistant City Attorney Matthew Staples
Public attendees: 3
Roll call was taken, and quorum present.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge of Allegiance led by Chair Jones.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS: None.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: None.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
The minutes from the Board meeting on January 16, 2024, and February 20, 2024, were moved by Chair Jones
to approve and place on file. Motion carried by Commissioner Brewster with Commissioner Milton seconding
the motion.
By Vote: Yeas: 6
Nays: 0
EDUCATION PRESENTATION: Randall Hon, Sergeant, Traffic Unit
• The traffic unit has received grants to focus help on speeding and pedestrian safety. There are six
designated intersections that approximately 260 hours of patrols time was used to raise police presence
during various times of the day citing and giving warnings.
• Every six months data is provided to analyze concern intersections due to speeding, crashes.
• Types of citations/warnings are given for: speeding, use of cell phones even while stopped at lights,
expired license tabs and accidents.
• After law passed last year concerning cell phone use by drivers, stops include education and pamphlets.
There has been a noticeable difference of education and knowledge of driving laws by age groups.
• Two new motorcycles are being readied for use soon.
Concerning traffic round-abouts. The design of round-abouts is a “traffic calming” method because drivers
need to slow down to maneuver the curves versus driving in a straight roadway.
“Capital City’s Finest”
Lansing Police Department
Board of Police Commissioners
120 West Michigan Avenue
Lansing, MI 48933
Phone: (517) 483-6040
Concerning weapons found in vehicles: the stats have decreased over past two years; however, it is still a
large amount for a city of this size. People are being made accountable by prosecutions.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT: Chief Sosebee
• On April 11th, LPD will be having promotional and retirement ceremonies.
• Through a federal Grant, we are purchasing a golf cart to be used on the River Trail. It will be
equipped with an alert system. Problems encountered are homelessness and trash. CSO Rudd will
be working with the River Trail volunteers.
• Interviews are being conducted for the next recruit school.
• Approximately 20 officers are in training and by May-June will be solo on patrol. This will help
with our CPO vacancies and special assignments.
• Recently attended Ramadan services and it was a humbling, unique experience. After services
Chief spoke to attendees.
• Grants: working on a grant for the Training Unit – Range which needs updating. Also working on
camera projects for the Real Time Crime Center where all cameras will incorporate all cameras
into one location. Eventually, the Center will be manned 24/7 by analysts and an officer to get
real time intel while officers are enroute to a scene.
Numerous businesses have also wanted LPD to have access to their cameras, this also would give
immediate access. License Plate Readers are also valuable. The funding to upgrade cameras
comes from local, state, and federal funding and runs in the millions.
NEW BUSINESS: None.
LEGAL AND ADVISOR REPORT: Assistant City Attorney Matthew Staples
• No report.
HUMAN RESOURCES REPORT: Commissioner Sam Brewster
• Crime Research Analyst 34 Status: One (1) vacancy. Background investigations are under review.
The next step is the psychological evaluation after the clearance of background.
• Detention Officer 33 Status: Two (2) female vacancies. Position is posted continuously. Three (3)
new applicants have been approved and are being moved to the next step in the process.
• Police Officer Certified/Certifiable: Currently posted and accepting new applications. Screening
new applications and routing to the department for review.
• Police Recruits (Sponsorship): Posting closed on March 3, 2024. More than fifty (50) applications
were received. Following up with applicants regarding the status of applications. Interviews are
scheduled to begin April 1, 2024.
• Police Social Worker: New hire scheduled to start on March 18, 2024.
“Capital City’s Finest”
Lansing Police Department
Board of Police Commissioners
120 West Michigan Avenue
Lansing, MI 48933
Phone: (517) 483-6040
UNFINISHED BUSNESS: None.
CORRESPONDANCE SENT AND RECEIVED: None.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS:
Moved by Chair Jones to accept and place on file the 2024 January and February Departmental reports. Motion
carried by Commissioner Brewster and seconded by Commissioner Milton.
By Vote: Yeas: 6
Nays: 0
BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS:
• Budget Committee: No report.
• Government Liaison Committee: No report.
• Awards & Incentives Committee: The committee has concluded selections. May 15th is the scheduled
date for the Awards Banquet which will be at McLaren.
• Ad Hoc Committee on Board Policies and Rules: No report. Due to resignation of Commissioner
McDermitt, a new chair will be selected for this subcommittee.
• Citizen Complaint Oversight Committee: The committee met under the new format. Commissioners
Farhat and Milton agreed this new format is good and Lt. Mills reports are very concise. Chair Jones
commented that this new format covers all details.
• Recruitment and Hiring Committee: See Human Resources report.
COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS:
• Commissioner Bitely: Had a very nice ride-a-long with Officer McClinton recently.
• Commissioner Brewster: Questioned the accreditation from Michigan Association of Chief of Police.
The accreditation will be for 3 years. MACP will come to City Council to present Chief with the
accreditation plaque at a future date gives LPD a gold star for standardization of policies/procedures.
• Commissioner Jones: No comment.
• Commissioner Milton: Welcomes Commissioner Farhat back.
• Commissioner Farhat: Good to be back.
• Commissioner Lopez: No comment.
OTHER BUSINESS: None.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
• Daniel Arnold and Normal Bauer.
ADJOURNMENT: Chairperson Jones concluded by thanking everyone for attending. Meeting ended at 6:28
pm.