HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 18, 2025 Board of Police Commissioners Minutes of Meeting
Board of Police Commissioners Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at 5:30 p.m.
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
Chair Jones.
Present: Commissioner Members: Brewster, Cotton, Farhat, Jones, Milton, Omar and Watkins.
Also present: Chief Backus, Deputy City Attorney Lisa Hagen-Lawrence, HR Director Elizabeth O’Leary, Sgt. Lance
Leiter and Ruth Grant
Excused Absence: Commissioner Brewster placed a motion to excuse the absence of Commissioner Bitley;
seconded by Commissioner Milton.
By Vote: Yeas: 7
Nays: 0
Public Attendees: 2
Roll call was taken and quorum was present.
Pledge of Allegiance: Lead by Chair Jones.
Public Comment on Agenda Items: None.
Additions To The Agenda: Discussion and approval of the 2026 Board of Police Commissioners schedule and
location and the 2024 Annual Report will be included in Other Business.
Approval Of Agenda: Chair Jones moved to approve the agenda. Commissioner Milton made the motion to approve with
the additions to the Agenda under Other Business. Commissioner Brewster seconding the motion.
By Vote: Yeas: 7
Nays: 0
Consent Agenda: Chair Jones moved for approval of agenda items:
a) Approval of Meeting Minutes: October 21, 2025.
b) Approval of October Departmental Reports.
Chair Jones moved to approve the minutes and department reports. Commissioners Brewster made the motion with
Commissioner Milton seconding the motion.
By Vote:
Yeas: 7
Nays: 0
EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATION: Sergeant Lance Leiter
• Provided an overview of the Violent Crimes Initiative (VCI) unit.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT – Chief Backus
• From the Chiefs Office: Topics were of Silver Bells preparations, FY27 Budget discussions, Cadet and
Social Worker staffing, Citizens Police Academy, December recruit graduation, Brain Wellness training
and the Worship Safety Class for church safety.
LEGAL UPDATE – Deputy City Attorney Lisa Hagen-Lawrence
No updates.
HUMAN RESOURCES – Directory Elizabeth O’Leary
• Human Services report.
COMMISSION INVESTIGATOR REPORT:
Update on the vacant CI position and the number of cases of Internal Affairs for October.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None.
OTHER BUSINESS: The 2024 LPD Annual Report was presented. Commissioner Brewster made a motion to
approve with Commissioner Farhat seconding the motion.
By Vote: Yeas: 7
Nays: 0
The 2026 Board of Police Commissioners Schedule and Location was presented with Commissioner Brewster made
a motion to approve with Commissioner Farhat seconding the motion.
By Vote: Yeas: 7
Nays: 0
BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS:
• Budget – beginning to work on FY27.
• Government/Community Liaison Committee – No report.
• Awards and Incentives Committee – No report.
• Ad Hoc Committee – No report.
• Citizen Complaint Oversight Committee – Will meet November 24th.
• Recruitment and Hiring – No additional report.
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS – (Informational)
• Farhat – Decorations for Neighborhood Watch float for Silver Bells.
• Watkins – Discussion with citizens consensus was LPD is a great agency.
• Cotton – No comment.
• Omar – No comment,.
• Milton – Mayor’s Interfaith Council was very important and well attended.
• Brewster – Had opportunity to observe staff in Detention Unit on a shift.
• Jones – No comment.
PUBLIC COMMENT: One public comment.
ADJOURNMENT: Chair Jones requested to adjourn the meeting at 6:33 pm