Category: Police Commission

#Justice4Sheldy
Detroit Charter, DRACO, Event, Events, News Release, Oversight, Police Brutality, Police Commission, Uncategorized

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: D.R.A.C.O. Organizes 2nd #Virtual Protest Against Promoting Violent Detroit Police

boman4detroit

NEWS ADVISORY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ashley Smith

Victim’s Sister

justice4sheldy@gmail.com

(254) 290-7303
Event video: https://youtu.be/TYLizRALRcc

#Justice4Sheldy #JusticeForSheldy

 

Scotty Boman, D.R.A.C.O. Founder
Phone: (313) 247-2052
scottyboman@hotmail.com

Draco.Life

April 16th, 2020

 

D.R.A.C.O. Organizes 2nd  #Virtual Protest Against Promoting Violent Detroit Police Corporal

Detroit, MI – Members of the victim’s family, and community organizers are outraged by arbitrator George Roumell’s claim that Detroit Police Corporal Dewayne Jones should be promoted to Sergeant, and are resolved to hold a virtual protest at the Board of Police Commissioners (BOPC) meeting this Thursday (April 23rd, 2020) at 3:00 PM.  The protest will include statements during the “Oral Communication” portion of the meeting. Dewayne Jones was convicted of assault on March 19th 2019 in the August 2018 beating Detroit Receiving Emergency Room patient Sheldy Smith.

 

Smith’s sister Ashley wrote a letter that will be on this Thursday’s agenda. She previously produced a video to promote the first protest.  In which she said,

My name is Ashley and I am the sister of the victim in this video. I am a Central Michigan University graduate and a disabled U.S. Army vet. Please join D.R.A.C.O. (Detroit Residents Advancing Civilian Oversight), my family, and the residents of Detroit in a virtual protest to stop the promotion of convicted criminal, Detroit Police Corporal Dewayne Jones.

 

On April 16th Grant Ha restated the same information he first shared on April 9th and that he still didn’t have the official document from the arbitrator. At their April 9th meeting Detroit Police Department (DPD) attorney Grant Ha announced the decision by appointed arbitrator George Roumell to promote Corporal Dewayne Jones to the rank of Sergeant. Roumell sent the message to Ha by email, but a Ha said he expected a formal letter to follow.  On January 16th the BOPC voted unanimously to reject the promotion. The Detroit City Charter says all promotions must be approved by the BOPC.

 

At the meeting on April 16th Boman, founder of Detroit Residents Advancing Civilian Oversight (DRACO) said,

We must make it clear that we don’t recognize any effort by anyone to usurp the Board’s final authority on promotions. It is their duty to instruct the DPD to refrain from this promotion, and to instead, dismiss this bad apple from the company of Detroit’s finest. This may be challenged in court. Insubordinate elements in the DPD may try to defy the Board. It is their duty to take on court challenges and dismiss insubordinates.

 

The meeting (and thereby the protest) will be via the Zoom meeting app at: https://cityofdetroit.zoom.us/j/397380647?pwd=S1kzVzU4RURFb2NBRGJIb1kwWVNjdz09

 

By telephone, call one of these numbers:

1 (929) 436-2866, 1 (312) 626-6799, 1 (346) 248-7799,

1 (301) 715-8592, 1 (669) 900-6833, 1 (253) 215-8782

Enter the BOPC Meeting ID 397380647 and press ##

 

The virtual meeting will use a form for public comments:

https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/d26fa38cc5e94a018836d065000714ce

Link to agenda: https://draco4life.files.wordpress.com/2020/04/agendaapril23-2020.pdf

DRACO, Event, Events, News Release, Oversight, Police Brutality, Police Commission

D.R.A.C.O. Organizes #Virtual Protest Against Promoting Violent Detroit Police Corporal

boman4detroit

News advisory in PDF format.

NEWS ADVISORY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ashley Smith
Victim’s Sister
justice4sheldy@gmail.com
(254) 290-7303
Event video: https://youtu.be/Ber5ZfUMarE
#Justice4Sheldy #JusticeForSheldy

Scotty Boman, D.R.A.C.O. Founder
Phone: (313) 247-2052
scottyboman@hotmail.com

Draco.Life

April 16th , 2020

D.R.A.C.O. Organizes #Virtual Protest Against Promoting Violent Detroit Police Corporal

Detroit, MI – Members of the victim’s family, and community organizers are outraged by arbitrator George Roumell’s claim that Detroit Police Corporal Dewayne Jones should be promoted to Sergeant, and are resolved to hold a virtual protest at the Board of Police Commissioners (BOPC) meeting this afternoon (April 16th, 2020).  The protest will include statements during the “Oral Communication” portion of the meeting. Dewayne Jones was convicted of assault on March 19th 2019 in the August 2018 beating Detroit Receiving Emergency Room patient Sheldy Smith.

Smith’s sister Ashley has produced a video to promote the protest.  In it she said,

My name is Ashley and I am the sister of the victim in this video. I am a Central Michigan University graduate and a disabled U.S. Army vet. Please join D.R.A.C.O. (Detroit Residents Advancing Civilian Oversight), my family, and the residents of Detroit in a virtual protest against the promotion of convicted criminal, Detroit Police Corporal Dewayne Jones.

At their April 9th meeting Detroit Police Department (DPD) attorney Grant Ha announced the decision by appointed arbitrator George Roumell to promote Corporal Dewayne Jones to the rank of Sergeant. Roumell sent the message to Ha by email, but a Ha said he expected a formal letter to follow.  On January 16th the BOPC voted unanimously to reject the promotion. The Detroit City Charter says all promotions must be approved by the BOPC.

Boman, founder of Detroit Residents Advancing Civilian Oversight (DRACO) said,

We must make it clear that we don’t recognize any effort by anyone to usurp the Board’s final authority on promotions. It is their duty to instruct the DPD to refrain from this promotion, and to instead, dismiss this bad apple from the company of Detroit’s finest. This may be challenged in court. Insubordinate elements in the DPD may try to defy the Board. It is their duty to take on court challenges and dismiss insubordinates.

The meeting (and thereby the protest) will be via the Zoom meeting app at: https://cityofdetroit.zoom.us/j/397380647?pwd=S1kzVzU4RURFb2NBRGJIb1kwWVNjdz09

By telephone, call one of these numbers:
1 (929) 436-2866, 1 (312) 626-6799, 1 (346) 248-7799,
1 (301) 715-8592, 1 (669) 900-6833, 1 (253) 215-8782
Enter the BOPC Meeting ID 397380647 and press ##

The virtual meeting will use a form for public comments:
https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/d26fa38cc5e94a018836d065000714ce

Link to agenda: https://draco4life.files.wordpress.com/2020/04/agendaapril-16-2020.pdf

DRACO, News Release, Police Brutality, Police Commission, Police Community Relations, Uncategorized

Community Activists Condemn Pending Promotion, Promise Consequences

boman4detroit

NEWS ADVISORY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact information for all quoted individuals is readily available from…

Scotty Boman, D.R.A.C.O. Founder
Phone: (313) 247-2052
scottyboman@hotmail.com

Draco.Life

January. 14th , 2020

 

Community Activists Condemn Pending Promotion, Promise Consequences

Detroit, MI – A coalition of community organizers are outraged by Detroit Police Chief James Craig’s recommendation that Corporal Dewayne Jones be promoted to Sergeant, and are prepared to recall any police commissioner who votes to approve the promotion.  Dewayne Jones was convicted of assault on March 19th 2019 in the August 2018 beating hospital patient Sheldy Smith.

 

Plans for the promotion were made public at the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners meeting last Thursday at the ACC Youth Center. 62 W Seven Mile Rd, Detroit, MI 48203.  Chairperson Lisa Carter read an excerpt of the Chief’s recommendation, to promote Jones to the rank of Sergeant, to attendees as part of her officer’s report. Craig issued the recommendation on January 8th and cited DPOA Grievance number 18-044 as a factor.

 

Boman, founder of Detroit Residents Advancing Civilian Oversight (DRACO) said “I am deeply disturbed by this development and it’s time to put the commissioners on notice.  We already have people prepared to initiate the recall process in five of Detroit’s seven districts, and I am confident that we will be ready to recall the other two shortly.  Any of the seven district commissioners who votes to promote this person will face a recall.” The five activist are Marilyn Jordan of Detroit People’s Task Force (District #1), Scotty Boman (District #4), Valerie Glenn (District #5), former DPS Board member Elena Herrada (District #6), and Michigan National Action Network board member Lory Parks (District #7).

 

Marilyn Jordan said, “The suggestion of a promotion for Mr. Jones from our Police Chief sends mixed messages. When we-the-people are faced with lies, corruption, wrongful convictions and falsified evidence – the trust within the community is broken, and will not be restored until the leadership produces integrity!”

 

Valerie Glenn – Simons said, “As a lifelong resident of the City of Detroit, the widow of a Detroit Police Official, Detroit Police Commissioner monitor and “woman” – I am aggrieved and angry to learn that Corporal Jones has been recommended to be promoted, without being properly reprimanded or fired, because of conducting police malfeasance. Furthermore I am angry and in a state of disbelief that Corporal has been recommended or promoted. How dare you Chief Craig! This should be cause for firing.”

 

Lory Parks said, “When the Board of Police Commissioners do vote on Officer D. Jones for Sergeant, the vote should be a ‘No!!!’”

 

Eric Blount said, “The Promotion is a shocking increase in the special treatment Mr. Jones has received at almost every turn.  From the judge removing the felony charges – to being lead out the courtroom though the same judge’s chamber – to the silence and secrecy of his employment status whenever questioned – to the Chief’s delay discipline until appeal process is complete (I’ve never heard of this delay reasoning) – to the second video from a police officer surfacing a year later and Chief’s strange comments at the private viewing.”

 

Minister Fuqua-Bey of Moorish Science Temple #25 said, “”Law enforcement is to serve and protect, not try to break Citizens’s necks.”

 

Property owner Linda Hegyi, who  left the city due to frustration with crime and corruption said, “This is a slap in the face to people suffering from mental illness and the innocent victims of excessive force and brutality by police officers.”

-END-

DRACO, Event, Events, News Release, Police Brutality, Police Commission

Community Activists Sound Off On New Developments in the Police Brutality Case of Dewayne Jones

boman4detroit

NEWS ADVISORY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Scotty Boman, D.R.A.C.O. Founder
Phone: (313) 247-2052
scottyboman@hotmail.com

Draco.Life

Other contact info may be available on request.

Time: 6:00 PM on Thursday January 9th 2020
Place: ACC Youth Center. 62 W Seven Mile Rd, Detroit, MI 48203

Community Activists Sound Off On New Developments in the Police Brutality Case of Dewayne Jones

Detroit, MI – Representatives of a variety of community organizations will be holding a news conference ahead of the Board of Police Commissioners meeting Thursday night.  Activists include Scotty Boman, founder of Detroit Residents Advancing Civilian Oversight (DRACO), Lory Parks of the Michigan National Action Network (NAN), and Marilyn Jordan of Detroit People’s Task Force.  Eric Blount will be commenting on his impressions of a body cam video that surfaced in August, which very few people have seen.

Activists will be asking the BOPC to open an investigation to find out how and why body cam video from the defendant’s partner remained secret until after the trial.  “I want to know who was supposed to gather video evidence, and how he, she or they failed to disclose it.” Said Boman.

The Wayne County Circuit Court granted Corporal Dewayne Jone’s an appeal on November 1st, so the case has been sent back to the 36th District Court.  The assigned appellate Judge was Cynthia Gray Hathaway, but Michael Hathaway filled in for her, in her absence.

Hathaway’s order called for the 36th District Court to hold a “Ginther Hearing” within 35 days. The 36th District Court has not received anything regarding this appeal and has not scheduled any new hearings.  The only future hearing scheduled by them is a May 1st probation review.

DRACO founder Scotty Boman commented, “I don’t know, because I don’t have money to buy transcripts, but I have a feeling that mysterious video that inexplicably surfaced with the DPD in late August counted as “new evidence” which is a standard ground for appeal.” Boman said he left messages for prosecuting attorney David McCreedy for clarification, but did not hear back from him.

The beating victim, Sheldy Smith, was moved to an unknown mental health facility (without notifying family members).  Reputed guardianship abuser Mary Rowen has been given control over Sheldy by the courts and has actively been denying family members access to her. Rowen also had custody at the time of the beating.

Keeping the victim hidden and silent works in the favor of Jones, and perhaps that works in favor of Rowan too.

“I see one common purpose behind all of this: The delayed discovery of the video, the delayed appeal process, the drawn out internal investigation, and the Shell game with Sheldy” said Boman, “…to guarantee a comfortable retirement for Corporal Dewayne Berran Jones.  Once he retires they will just drop everything and call the case moot. Jones won’t be held accountable.”

-End –

DRACO, Open Meetings Act, Oversight, Police Commission

BOPC Doubles Down on Illegal Meetings

boman4detroit

The majority of the BOPC voted against Commissioner Burton’s motion to stop breaking the law…

Detroit, MI – The Board of Police Commissioners, as a body, has gone on record as opposing compliance with this law. On August 29th Fifth District Commissioner Willie E. Burton made a motion to comply with the Open Meetings Act by changing the venue to a location where persons would not be required to identify themselves as a condition of entry. The motion was seconded by First District Commissioner Darryl D. Brown. The motion failed with only Seventh District Commissioner William Davis joining Burton and Brown in support of compliance. The remaining commissioners present voted against compliance. They were Chair Sixth District Commissioner Lisa Carter, Co-Chair Commissioner Eva Garza Dewaelsche, Third District Commissioner Shirley A. Burch and Fourth District Commissioner Willie E. Bell. At-large Commissioners Elizabeth Brooks and Annie Holt also voted against compliance. At-large Commissioner Rev. Jim Holley, PhD and Second District Commissioner Evette Griffie were absent at the time of the aforementioned vote.

The following statement was in a News Release that went out on August 7th.

Community Activists To Hold Press Conference On Illegal BOPC Meetings

Detroit, MI – For the past few years most Board of Police Commissioner (BOPC) meetings have been at the Public Safety Headquarters at 1301 Third Street.  In order to attend those meetings, security requires community members to present identification.  Now some of those community members are crying foul.

Detroit Residents Advancing Civilian Oversight (DRACO) Founder Scotty Boman and Michigan National Action Network (NAN) Vice President Lori Parks Will be making comments and answering questions before the meeting of the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners which starts at 6:00 PM on Thursday August 8th.  Both Parks and Boman have been repeatedly denied entry to BOPC meetings at the headquarters in spite of asserting their rights under the Michigan Open Meetings Act. The Charter of the City of Detroit requires the Board of Police Commissioners to comply with the Michigan Open Meetings Act.

According to the Michigan Open Meetings Act 267 of 1976. Section 15.263. Sec. 3. (4):

“A person shall not be required as a condition of attendance at a meeting of a public body to register or otherwise provide his or her name or other information or otherwise to fulfill a condition precedent to attendance.”

At their June 27th meeting ACLU Attorney Ralph Simpson informed the Commissioners of this portion of the law during public comments. He said he assumed they were unaware of the law, but from that point forward they should consider themselves notified.

“It is blatantly irrational and absurd for an organization that is charged with the civilian oversight of law enforcement, to brazenly and willfully conspire to commit crimes on a routine basis.”

At their meeting on August 1st Boman informed them that there were significant criminal penalties for their actions and that commissioners wishing to distance themselves from the violations should make motions to end the practice.  The portion cited by Boman read:

“15.272 Violation as misdemeanor; penalty.
Sec. 12. (1) A public official who intentionally violates this act is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000.00.
(2) A public official who is convicted of intentionally violating a provision of this act for a second time within the same term shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not more than $2,000.00, or imprisoned for not more than 1 year, or both.”