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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Police Commissioners Minutes 01.20.26 Board of Police Commissioners Meeting Minutes Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. Lansing Police Department – HQ 2nd FL Conf. Room 120 W Michigan Ave, 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 at Rollcall: Commission Members: Bitely, Brewster, Cotton, Jones, Milton, Watkins Also present: Chief Backus, Sergeant Zolnai, Elizabeth O’Leary, Julie Browne, and Jacqueline Lutz Public Attendees: 3 Rollcall was taken and quorum was present. Commissioner Farhat called in absent. Motion to excuse by Commissioner Brewster. Commissioner Bitely seconded. By Vote: Yeas: 6 Nays: 0 Commissioner Farhan arrived at 5:33 PM after roll call and vote on items was taken. Pledge of Allegiance: Lead by Commissioner Jones Public Comment on Agenda Items: Commissioner Jones stated that they received additional correspondence from Alison Peeler Additions To the Agenda: None. Approval Of Agenda: Chair Jones moved to approve the agenda. Commissioner Bitely made the motion to approve with Commissioner Milton seconding the motion. By Vote: Yeas: 6 Nays: 0 Consent Agenda: Chair Jones moved for approval of agenda items: a) Approval of Meeting Minutes: December 16, 2025. b) Approval of December Departmental Reports. Chair Jones moved to approve the minutes and department reports. Commissioners Brewster made the motion. By Vote: Yeas: 6 Nays: 0 EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATION: Sergeant James Zolnai, Hiring and Recruitment • Ways and where to recruit. • Sponsorships open for recruits. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT – Chief Backus • From the Chiefs Office: Welcome new executive assistant, crime stats (down over 2% in crimes, 36% reduction in homicides, 35% reduction in nonfatal shootings, 100% clearance in homicides over the last 2 years), partnerships with the community. Thanks to those who attended the MLK dinner, promotions upcoming, and internal annual training • Youth crime: biggest partner in this is the school district LEGAL UPDATE – Deputy City Attorney Lisa Hagen-Lawrence • None HUMAN RESOURCES – Director Elizabeth O’Leary • Excited for the new recruitment with Sergeant Zolnai. • 4 in the hiring process • 8 recruits in the Academy currently • 20 vacancies COMMISSION INVESTIGATOR REPORT: • Julie Browne, new Commission Investigator UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None as of today. OTHER BUSINESS: None. BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS: • Budget – No report as of December • Government/Community Liaison Committee – No report. • Awards and Incentives Committee – Meetings on the 28th, receiving documentation in the next week or so • Ad Hoc Committee – No report • Citizen Complaint Oversight Committee – Tentatively meeting on Thursday. 7 open, 5 closed, 1 sent to the Chief • Recruitment and Hiring – No additional report. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS – (Informational) • Farhat – None • Watkins – Reserve until next month • Cotton – No additional comments • Omar – No additional comments • Milton – Happy New Year and welcome aboard to the new faces • Brewster – Welcome • Jones – Wish everyone a happy new year and to advance the priorities of 2026, and changes to common. • Bitely – Always like going first PUBLIC COMMENT: Two Public Comments ADJOURNMENT: Chair Jones requested to adjourn the meeting at 6:14 pm. Commissioner Bitely made a motion with Commissioner Brewster seconding the motion.