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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Police Commissioners Minutes 08.18.26 Board of Police Commissioners Meeting Minutes Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. Foster Community Center, Room 211 200 N. Foster Ave, Lansing, MI 48912 The Board of Police Commissioners met in regular session and the meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Chair Brewster. Present at Rollcall: Commission Members: Bitely, Brewster, Farhat, Hernandez, Jones, Milton Also present: Chief Backus, Elizabeth O’Leary, Julie Browne, Matthew Staples, Jordan Gulkis, and Jacqueline Lutz Public Attendees: 4 Rollcall was taken and quorum was present. Commissioner Cotton not present and did not communicate absence. Commissioner Watkins emailed in his absence. Chair Brewster moved to excuse. Commissioner Bitely made the motion and Commissioner Farhat seconded. By Vote: Yeas: 6 Nays: 0 Pledge of Allegiance: Lead by Vice-Chair Milton Correspondence Sent and Received: None Public Comment on Agenda Items: 0 Additions To the Agenda: None Approval Of Agenda: Chair Brewster moved to approve the agenda. Commissioner Milton made the motion to approve with Commissioner Bitely seconding the motion. By Vote: Yeas: 6 Nays: 0 Consent Agenda: Chair Brewster moved for approval of agenda items: a) Approval of Meeting Minutes: July 21, 2026. b) Approval of July Departmental Reports. 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: Jordan Gulkis, Public Information Director • Media relations, social media groups, becoming the trusted source in the community. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT – Chief Backus • New Building Update: January 19th will be the first Board of Police Commissioners meeting in the new building. 19 recruits started the 118th Academy yesterday, 11 being female. Reminder: schedule commissioner photo for the new building. Downtown businesses crime complaints, expanding patrol downtown. Violent crime has seen a decrease in comparison to last year. LEGAL UPDATE – Assistant City Attorney Matthew Staples • No report. HUMAN RESOURCES – Director Elizabeth O’Leary • 19 new recruits began, recruit posting open until yesterday, interviews ongoing. Lateral interview today and 2 more happening soon. 2 candidates pending psych evals for cadets, 6 applicants being considered for detention officers. Staff services has been great to work with. COMMISSION INVESTIGATOR REPORT: Julie Browne, Commission Investigator • 7 open, 8 closed, 0 to the Chief. Up to date citizen complaint information. A monthly website update with this information. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None NEW BUSINESS: None BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS: • Budget – Nothing • Government/Community Liaison Committee – Nothing • Awards and Incentives Committee – Nothing until January • Ad Hoc Committee – No update • Citizen Complaint Oversight Committee – Met today. Reviewed 3 cases. • Recruitment and Hiring – Commissioner Cotton not present COMMISSIONER COMMENTS – (Informational) • Farhat – National Night Out was a huge success, Neighborhood Watch Advisory Board new officer, Ofc. Bridget Voisin • Bitely – Chamber of Commerce complaints about targeted crime, Chief already addressed. Did a ride-along. Small Talk board, Child advocacy in Lansing having annual benefit dinner next month, let her know if you are interested in attending • Watkins – Not present • Cotton – Not present • Hernandez – Communication with ALPACT, September 16th WKAR screening, more information to come. • Milton – No comments • Brewster – No comments, signed up for the Citizen’s Police Academy. Appreciate all the work that everyone does. • Jones – Backpack giveaway last Saturday, great to see CSU there. PUBLIC COMMENT: 3 ADJOURNMENT: Chair Brewster moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:24 pm. Commissioner Milton made the motion with Commissioner Bitely seconding. Approved by unanimous consent.