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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Police Commissioners Minutes 06.16.26 Board of Police Commissioners Meeting Minutes Tuesday, June 16, 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 5:30 p.m. by Vice- Chair Brewster. Present at Rollcall: Commission Members: Bitely, Brewster, Cotton, Farhat, Milton, Watkins Also present: Chief Backus, Elizabeth O’Leary, Dr. David Carter (present via Zoom), Julie Browne, Matthew Staples, Keith Goodwin, and Jacqueline Lutz Public Attendees: 2 Rollcall was taken and quorum was present. Commissioner Watkins arrived at the end of roll call at 5:32 pm, but prior to voting. Commissioner Hernandez and Jones emailed in their absences. Motion to excuse by Commissioner Bitely. Commissioner Farhat seconded. Approved by unanimous consent. Pledge of Allegiance: Lead by Commissioner Brewster Correspondence Sent and Received: None. Public Comment on Agenda Items: None. Additions To the Agenda: None. Approval Of Agenda: Vice-Chair Brewster moved to approve the agenda. Commissioner Bitely made the motion to approve with Commissioner Farhat seconding the motion. Approved by unanimous consent. Consent Agenda: Vice-Chair Brewster moved for approval of agenda items: a) Approval of Meeting Minutes: May 19, 2026. b) Approval of May Departmental Reports. Vice-Chair Brewster moved to approve the minutes and department reports. Commissioner Bitely made the motion. Commissioner Farhat seconding the motion. By Vote: Yeas: 6 Nays: 0 EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATION: Dr. David Carter • MATS Reports: history of, content, etc. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT – Chief Backus • Increase in calls in May Board Packet (call increase tied to warmer weather and school being out), addressing these calls comes in staffing and Summer shift of additional officers. Personnel changes— Internal Affairs lieutenant. 2 Lieutenants graduated from Michigan State Staff and Command. This Saturday is the Juneteenth celebration—LPD will be there. La Fiesta is also this weekend—LPD will be there. Upcoming 20 police recruits and members from LPD (mentors, command, HR, etc.) will be attending a Lugnuts event at the stadium with our Recruiting team. LEGAL UPDATE – Assistant City Attorney Matthew Staples • No legal update. HUMAN RESOURCES – Director Elizabeth O’Leary • Lateral position posted, 20 applicants being considered for August academy, 4 cadets advanced to background stage, Central Records Specialist position will be filled in July. COMMISSION INVESTIGATOR REPORT: Julie Browne, Commission Investigator • 9 opened, 4 closed, and 0 to the Chief UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None as of today NEW BUSINESS: a) Election of Chair and Vice Chair Commissioner Farhat nominated Commissioner Brewster for Chair, Commissioner Brewster accepted. Approved by unanimous consent. Commissioner Farhat nominated Commissioner Milton as Vice-Chair, Commissioner Milton accepted. Approved by unanimous consent. b) 2025 Annual Report Vice-Chair Brewster moved to approve the annual report. Commissioner Bitely made the motion. Commissioner Farhat seconding the motion. By Vote: Yeas: 6 Nays: 0 BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS: • Budget – Close on the budget, but hope that Chief will be continuing his pattern of fiscal responsibility • Government/Community Liaison Committee – none • Awards and Incentives Committee – Awards banquet, good for another year, 144 awards presented, over 300 in attendance, anyone interested in being a part of that process • Ad Hoc Committee – no report • Citizen Complaint Oversight Committee – Met this afternoon and reviewed a few complaints, lots to read • Recruitment and Hiring – Nothing COMMISSIONER COMMENTS – (Informational) • Farhat – Very lucky to have Sam Brewster and Pastor Milton. • Bitely – Congratulations to Commissioner Brewster and Commissioner Milton • Watkins – Congratulations and thanks from son in-law on the feedback from his coffee, now available in Meijer. Juneteenth event this weekend, hope to see you all there • Cotton – Congrats to Commissioners, still concerned about car wash • Hernandez – Absent • Milton – Thank you to everyone and congratulations to new chair • Brewster – Likewise to Commissioner Milton and looking forward to new position • Jones – Absent PUBLIC COMMENT: 2 ADJOURNMENT: Vice-Chair Brewster moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:32 pm. Commissioner Milton made the motion with Commissioner Bitely seconding. Approved by unanimous consent.