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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Police Commissioners Minutes 05.19.26 Board of Police Commissioners Meeting Minutes Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. Lansing Police Department – HQ 2nd Floor Conference 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 5:29 p.m. by Chair Jones. Present at Rollcall: Commission Members: Brewster, Cotton, Farhat, Hernandez, Jones, Milton, Watkins Also present: Chief Backus, Elizabeth O’Leary, Ofc. Jason Murdock, Julie Browne, Matthew Staples, Keith Goodwin, and Jacqueline Lutz Public Attendees: 5 Rollcall was taken and quorum was present. Commissioner Bitely emailed in her absence. Motion to excuse by Commissioner Brewster. Commissioner Farhat seconded. By Vote: Yeas:7 Nays:0 Pledge of Allegiance: Lead by Commissioner Jones Correspondence Sent and Received: None received. Public Comment on Agenda Items: 0 Additions To the Agenda: Commissioner Jones entertained a motion to include recommendations under New Business for June meeting for Chair and Vice Chair. Motion made by Commissioner Brewster, seconded by Commissioner Farhat By Vote: Yeas: 7 Nays: 0 Approval Of Agenda: Chair Jones moved to approve the agenda. Commissioner Brewster made the motion to approve with Commissioner Farhat seconding the motion. By Vote: Yeas: 7 Nays: 0 Consent Agenda: Chair Jones moved for approval of agenda items: a) Approval of Meeting Minutes: April 21, 2026. b) Approval of April Departmental Reports. Chair Jones moved to approve the minutes and department reports. Chair Jones made the motion. Commissioner Farhat seconding the motion. By Vote: Yeas: 7 Nays: 0 EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATION: Officer Jason Murdock, Southside Corridor CPO • Community policing in the southside corridor: loss prevention within the big box stores and smaller stores. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT – Chief Backus • Award’s Ceremony tomorrow, walk through for the new PSB, mass shooting, Safe Summer Initiative starting soon (10 officers moving to a “summer shift” 11 am to 9 pm—metrics will be collected), continued OT on Fridays and Saturdays funded through a grant, Asst. Chief Pratl going to Police Institute at Boston University LEGAL UPDATE – Assistant City Attorney Matthew Staples • Nothing to report HUMAN RESOURCES – Director Elizabeth O’Leary • 1 New Hire started on May 11, 21 applicants considered for August academy, 2 applicants pending MCOLES, Cadet posting closed—6 applicants, 5 are moving on. Central Records Specialist interviews happened yesterday and today COMMISSION INVESTIGATOR REPORT: • Julie Browne, Commission Investigator o 5 opened, 6 closed, and 0 to the Chief UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None as of today NEW BUSINESS: (Information) Chair Jones recommends that Commissioner Brewster takes over as Chair and Commissioner Milton joins as Vice-Chair for Vote at June meeting BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS: • Budget – Received report from Budget Supervisor, continuing to review outstanding needs for department equipment. Fiscal Year 27 budget approved. No amendments to the budget to this point • Government/Community Liaison Committee – Law enforcement Sunday with the community, Clergy forum attended by Asst. Chief Pratl, thanks to the chief for being so approachable • Awards and Incentives Committee – Award’s ceremony tomorrow, invite came through email. Always opportunities for this committee, a couple members can be on that committee. It’s a lot of reading, but it’s phenomenal. • Ad Hoc Committee – Commissioner Bitely not present. • Citizen Complaint Oversight Committee – Met today. Pretty straightforward, good review. • Recruitment and Hiring – Nothing COMMISSIONER COMMENTS – (Informational) • Farhat – Nothing, looking forward to tomorrow • Watkins – No comment • Cotton – Like to thank CI Browne and Chief, taking care of the Car Wash, the property itself needs some attention still • Hernandez – No comment • Milton – Congratulations to Chair Jones on Doctoral accomplishment • Brewster – None • Jones – Thank you, Commissioner Milton. Not able to attend the Award’s Ceremony due to daughters’ performances. Hope tomorrow is a wonderful ceremony. PUBLIC COMMENT: 2 ADJOURNMENT: Chair Jones moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:12 pm. Commissioner Brewster made the motion with Commissioner Farhat seconding. By Vote: Yeas: 7 Nays: 0