Tag: Charter Commission

Charter Commission Meeting in South-West Detroit
Charter Commission, Detroit Charter, Event, Events, Oversight, Revision

Citizens Focus Group (CFG) Summit 5:00 PM 06-17-2019

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Their will be a Citizens Focus Group (CFG) Summit on Monday, June 17th at 5:00 PM. The Summit will be held at DABO Center 12048 Grand River Detroit, MI. Each leader of a CFG will have 15 minute presentation.

Eric Blount will be there to present the revisions many of you have recommended at our meetings.

One purpose of the Summit will be to determine areas where our suggested revisions overlap, so that we can reconcile any inconsistencies that result from them. Please take careful note of these so we may address these matters at future meetings.

The Meeting Agenda is here.

The Civilian Oversight Summary is here.

The Detailed Recommended Civilian Oversight Revisions are here.

Spirit of Detroit
Charter Commission, Detroit Charter, Event, Events, Oversight, Police Commission

Civilian oversight (BOPC) Focus Group. Meeting Details

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The second Community Focus Group for Civilian Oversight

When: Thu, April 18, 6:45pm – 8:45pm
Where: 651 Manistique St, Detroit, MI 48215, USA (map)
Description: Doors open at 6:30 PM Parking is available in back by using the driveway and in the adjacent side-lot. RSVP required.
Please RSVP to: Scotty Boman (313) 247-2052 [Voice only] email: scottyboman@hotmail.com
This Community Focus Group (CFG) will be focused on portions of the current and future Detroit City Charter that concerns civilian oversight of the Detroit Police Department,  especially the Board of Police Commissioners (BOPC).
We have scheduled our meeting for:
Thursday March 28th at 7:00 PM – 8:50 PM
(Please arrive earlier if you wish to order dinner). * 

Tijuana’s Authentic Mexican Kitchen
18950 Ford Rd, Detroit, MI 48228

* Some soft drinks or appetizers may be provided but we have no budget, so contributions toward shared items will be welcome
If you see any posts suggesting a different date, please disregard them.
Please send any of the following to scottyboman@hotmail.com :
  • Suggested changes to the charter (concerning the BOPC).*
  • What aspects of the current charter (concerning the BOPC) do you wish to preserve.
  • Any new ideas that may not relate directly to any section of the current charter.
* Suggested changes should be composed in a manner whereby it is clear what will be deleted and what no words will be inserted.   The standard way of doing this is to present the entire section that will be effected, but use red strike-through font for the portions to be removed, and use bold or underlined blue print for new content.

Here is a summary of parts of the current charter that we will be discussing:

ARTICLE 7. THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH: PROGRAMS, SERVICES and ACTIVITIES CHAPTER 8. POLICE

Please refer to Pages 66 – 69 of the original PDF document:

https://detroitmi.gov/document/city-detroit-2012-charter

https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/2018-05/2_29_2012_CharterDocument_2_1_WITHOUT_COMMENTARY_1.pdf

Sec. 7-802. Board of Police Commissioners Sec. 7-803. Duties of the Board of Police Commissioners

Sec. 7-804. Staff.

Sec. 7-805. Chief of Police.

Sec. 7-807. Discipline.

Sec. 7-809. Resolution of Complaints.

Here is content mentioned on other pages (likely to overlap with other focus groups and with committees other than Public Agency):

ARTICLE 2. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 2-105. Definitions and Rules of Construction.

A.  As used in this Charter:

12. District or ward means a district drawn on a geographical basis, which constitutes a political unit from which members of the City Council, Board of Police Commissioners and Community Advisory Councils are elected.

13. Elective officers means the Mayor, each member of the City Council, elected Board of Police Commissioners and the City Clerk.

ARTICLE 3. ELECTIONS

Sec. 3-105. City Elections and City Council Initiated Ballot Proposals.

If a vacancy occurs in an elective office of the Board of Police Commissioners it shall be filled by the Mayor with a resident from the relevant district, subject to City Council approval. If City Council does not disapprove the appointment within thirty (30) days of the appointment it will be deemed confirmed. The appointed person shall serve until an elected member takes office. The election to fill the vacant position shall occur at the next general election to be held not sooner than one hundred eighty (180) days after occurrence of the vacancy.

Sec. 3-107. Elective Officers of the City.

The elective officers of the city are the Mayor, the nine (9) members comprising the City Council, the City Clerk and seven (7) elected Board of Police Commissioners.

Sec. 3-109. Nominating Petitions.

In the initial election, where a candidate is seeking nomination to the office of district elected Police Commissioner, the candidate’s petition shall be signed by a number of voters of the district equal to not more than one percent (1%) nor less than one-fourth percent (1/4%) of the number resulting when the total number of votes cast at the preceding Regular City General Election for all offices of the City Council members is divided by nine (9). In succeeding elections the candidate’s petitions shall be signed by a number of voters of the district equal to not more than one percent (1%) nor less than one-fourth percent (1/4%) of the number resulting when the total number of votes cast at the preceding Regular City General Election for all offices of elected Board of Police Commissioners is divided by seven (7).

Sec. 3-111. Residency Requirement for Elective Officers.

2. City Council and Board of Police Commissioners.

In addition to being a resident for one (1) year, as required above, candidates for City Council and the Board of Police Commissioners shall be bona fide residents of their districts and must maintain their principal residence in their districts for one (1) year immediately preceding election or appointment and throughout their tenure in that office.

Contact:
Scotty Boman
Civilian oversight CFG Chair/facilitator
(313) 247-2052 [Voice Only]

 

Charter Commission, Detroit Charter, DRACO

Denzel Anton McCampbell ( Raw Questionnaire Responses )

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Q1
How will your name appear on the ballot?

Denzel Anton McCampbell

Q2
What do you believe qualifies you to be on the Detroit Charter Commission?

I’m a 26-year-old Detroiter. I was born and raised in this city and I’ve been working to advance social justice issues since my high school days, to be quite honest. For my entire adult life, I’ve been working on issues such as voting rights, water justice, education justice, equitable development, immigration, racial justice, LGBTQ rights, making our government more accessible, and many other issues in Detroit and across the state of Michigan. I understand the need to create public policy to improve the quality of life for everyone, especially folks who have been historically marginalized. I will bring these skills to the Detroit Charter Commission to ensure that no one of being left out of the conversation.

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

I continue to say that we are at a crossroads in the city of Detroit. I’m running for the Charter Revision Commission to ensure that our governing documents reflect the spirit and policies in the direction of inclusivity, investment, and uplifting of the most vulnerable populations and of those who have made Detroit the great city it is. We cannot strip our charter of accountability and access for residents, instead we must make our city government more responsive to its residents. I know I have the skills to be a part of making this happen.

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

Q8
Check powers or responsibilities you would like Police Commissioners to retain:

In consultation with the Chief of Police, and with the approval of the Mayor establish policies, rules and regulations.
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 think we also have to look at programs that increase safety for everyone that involves getting community members things that they actually need to have a good quality of life separate from incarceration and policing.

Q9
Do you think it is a conflict of interest for former Detroit Police Officers to serve on the BOPC?

Other (please specify):
Yes, I do believe it is a conflict of interest. I would be in favor of looking at policies that ensure true independent and non-biased investigations occur.

Q10
I affirm the above statement.

Yes.

Charter Commission, Detroit Charter, DRACO

Chase L. Cantrell ( Raw Questionnaire Responses )

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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.

Charter Commission, Detroit Charter, DRACO

Byron Osbern ( Raw Questionnaire Responses )

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Q1
How will your name appear on the ballot?

Byron Osbern
Q2
What do you believe qualifies you to be on the Detroit Charter Commission?

I am a lifelong citizen of Detroit who is engaged and concerned with how our city functions. I have been active in my community and my professional life as a labor leader has allowed me to sit through negotiation sessions and come to agreements. I know how to listen, process, seek relevant information, and come to a sound decision.
Q3
Why do you want to be on the Detroit Charter Commission?

I hope I get the opportunity to represent all walks of life in this city that are directly affected by our government and the municipal services provided. I want a chance to sit at the table with our elected offices and figure out how to help our city work better for us all.

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

Q8
Check powers or responsibilities you would like Police Commissioners to retain:

In consultation with the Chief of Police, and with the approval of the Mayor establish policies, rules and regulations.
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.

Q9
Do you think it is a conflict of interest for former Detroit Police Officers to serve on the BOPC?

Always

Q10
I affirm the above statement.

Yes.