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.”
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Detroit Residents Advancing Civilian Oversight 