HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuly 16, 2024 Board of Police Commissioners Minutes of Meeting - Approved
BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS
MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
Location: Lansing Police Department Headquarters, 120 W. Michigan Avenue, Lansing, MI 48933
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, Cotton, Farhat, Jones, and Milton.
Also Present: Interim Chief Robert Backus, City Attorney Lisa Hagen-Lawrence, and A’Keydra Abrams
Public attendees: 4
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:
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
The minutes from the Board meeting on June 18, 2024, were moved by Chair Jones to approve and place on file. Motion
carried by Commissioner Bitely with Commissioner Brewster seconding the motion.
By Vote:
Yeas: 6
Nays: 0
EDUCATION PRESENTATION: None.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT: Interim Chief Robert Backus.
NEW BUSINESS: Vote to approve Mayor Schor’s recommendation for Chief of Police position
The recommendation from Mayor Schor to promote Interim Chief Robert Backus to the Chief of Police
position was presented to the commissioners. Motion made by Vice-Chair Brewster to accept Mayor Schor’s
recommendation for Robert Backus to be Chief of Police; motion carried by Commissioner Milton and seconded by
Commissioner Farhat.
By Vote:
Yeas: 6
Nay: 0
LEGAL AND ADVISOR REPORT: Assistant City Attorney Lisa Hagen-Lawrence
HUMAN RESOURCES REPORT: Commissioner Sam Brewster
UNFINISHED BUSNESS: The Executive Directive of the Mayor was adopted in November 2023 and actively used in
January 2024 for a six-month trial. The Citizens Complaint Oversite Committee would like to adopt the Directive on a
month-to-month basis. A motion was made by Chair Jones to adopt the Executive Directive for the CCOC on a month-by-
month basis. Motion carried by Vice-Chair Brewster and seconded by Commissioner Farhat.
By Vote:
Yeas: 6
Nays: 0
CORRESPONDANCE SENT AND RECEIVED: None..
DEPARTMENT REPORTS:
Moved by Chair Jones to accept and place on file the 2024 June Departmental reports. Motion carried by Commissioner
Brewster and seconded by Commissioner Farhat.
By Vote:
Yeas: 6
Nays: 0
BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS:
• Budget Committee: Chair Jones reported no changes to the budget at this time.
• Government Liaison Committee: No report.
• Awards & Incentives Committee: No report.
• Ad Hoc Committee on Board Policies and Rules: No report.
• Citizen Complaint Oversight Committee: Reviewed nine cases.
• Recruitment and Hiring Committee: No report currently. Commissioner Cotton hopes to meet with recruiting
committee
• Commission Investigator Abrams: Seven cases reviewed. Two were closed and five are open for active
investigations.
COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS:
• Commissioner Bitely: Congratulations to Chief Backus. Thanked officers who worked the July 4th events to make
it safe and enjoyable.
• Commissioner Brewster: Congratulations to Chief Backus. Participated as a spectator at a recent K-9 training.
• Commissioner Milton: Congratulations to Chief Backus.
• Commissioner Cotton: Would like to hear from the Recruiting and Hiring to get acclimated to committee and
role.
• Commissioner Farhat: Congratulations to Chief Backus. No further comment.
• Commissioner Jones: No comment.
OTHER BUSINESS: None.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
ADJOURNMENT: Chairperson Jones concluded by thanking everyone for attending. Meeting ended at 6:03 pm.