Chase L. Cantrell ( Raw Questionnaire Responses )

Q1
How will your name appear on the ballot?

Chase L. Cantrell
Q2
What do you believe qualifies you to be on the Detroit Charter Commission?

As the founder and leader of a community-based organization, a Michigan attorney in good standing, and an economic development specialist, I have dedicated the past ten years to analyzing, influencing, and applying policy to improve Detroit neighborhoods and to provide other Detroit residents with tools and resources to rebuild their communities. My time as a transactional attorney especially afforded me the experience of reviewing and drafting bylaws, operating agreements, and other governing documents, skills that would be invaluable in the process of proposing amendments to the Charter.

Q3
Why do you want to be on the Detroit Charter Commission?

The City Charter is our most important foundational document. As with other legislative enactments, the rules and regulations contained within the Charter are written to prescribe outcomes. We must, therefore, be careful and diligent in selecting who may draft such rules. As the leader of a community-based organization, an attorney in good standing, and an economic development specialist, I am running for the Charter Revision Commission to ensure that the process for proposing revisions and the the proposed revisions themselves reflect my commitment to transparency, accessibility, and resident engagement.

Q4
Would you support keeping a Board of Police Commissioners in the revised charter?

Definitely would

Q5
Would you support keeping a system whereby the majority of the Police Commissioners are elected?

Definitely would

Q6
Would you support the election of some of the Commissioners by district?

Definitely would

Q7
Would you support the requirement that Commissioners be civilians at the time they are elected?

Definitely would

Page 3: Police Commissioner Authority
Q8
Check powers or responsibilities you would like Police Commissioners to retain:

Review and approve the departmental budget before its submission to the Mayor.
Receive and resolve, as provided in this chapter, any complaint concerning the operation of the Police Department and forward all allegations of criminality to the appropriate internal or external law enforcement agency for further investigation.
Act as final authority in imposing or reviewing discipline of employees of the department.
Make an annual report to the Mayor, the City Council, and the public of the department’s activities during the previous year, including the handling of crime and complaints, and of future plans.
The Board may subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, take testimony, and require the production of evidence.
The Board shall also appoint a Chief Investigator and such additional staff of investigators as it deems necessary.
Other (please specify):
I would retain the Commissioners’ rule making authority, in consultation with the executive branch, but I would consider removing the requirement that the mayor approve the rules.

Page 4: Conflicts Of Interest
Q9
Do you think it is a conflict of interest for former Detroit Police Officers to serve on the BOPC?

Other (please specify):
I believe that it sometimes can be a conflict but that former police officers can provide important perspectives for the rule and budget setting processes. A potential modification may be to require former police officers to run for one of the seven district positions and prohibit mayoral appointment.

Page 5: Statement of Affirmation
Q10
I affirm the above statement.

Yes.