Canton creates police transparency and guidance committee to review
[ad_1]
Michael Kim remains upset about a multiple-car crash he was part of in Canton Township.
Kim filed an unsuccessful complaint against the police department, alleging bias because, in his opinion, the driver apparently causing a string of rear-end collisions wasn’t punished enough.
But the township’s new Police Transparency and Guidance Subcommittee should be able to review his concerns this spring, Police Chief Chad Baugh said.
Recently presenting an update about the subcommittee to township trustees, he and subcommittee members said case reports, bodycam and patrol car footage and other materials are being reviewed so the subcommittee can potentially make recommendations for improvements regarding tactics, policies, procedures or coaching.
Materials reviewed by the subcommittee are redacted so identities can remain unknown while hopefully adding another layer of trust the community has in its local law enforcers.
“I very much know something is wrong here,” Kim wrote in an email to Hometown Life. “I just want someone to address it. Not to be overdramatic, but I really do avoid driving through Canton if at all possible for fear of police bias.”
More:Professional dominoes strategist from Canton named judge for new FOX game show
More:Federal judge dismisses Wayne police sergeant’s suit regarding lost police chief job
Baugh announced the new subcommittee in April 2021. A $40,000 grant assured the advice of Brett Naumcheff, a law enforcement attorney, and Scott Wolfe, a Michigan State University criminal justice instructor.
The subcommittee stems from the township police department and the Canton Coalition for Inclusive Communities. Eva Davis, who is the coalition’s civilian leader, is the chair.
Other subcommittee members include Denise Lilly, Plymouth-Canton Community Schools’ diversion, equity and inclusion director and Rachel Miller of First Step, which works to help domestic and sexual violence victims.
They received training on best practices and policies for the township and police department. They met over Zoom. They began reviewing cases.
“We had a lot of conversation about tone and manner and how that interpersonal interaction can affect police officer and citizen interaction and how that impacts perceptions,” Davis said, also noting recommendations for more layperson language in written communications regarding complaints.
“All members of the subcommittee are just average lay people. We don’t necessarily know all of the police jargon, and so your average citizen probably would not either,” she explained during the presentation to the trustees.
Miller said she has appreciated her time on the subcommittee, which she said is proving that police departments can change and become more accountable.
“Canton is incredibly lucky to have a police administration that embraces change,” she said. “This has been really eye opening to me. It really does show that progress and change can happen as long as police departments are willing to embrace it.”
Contact reporter Susan Vela at sv***@ho**********.com or 248-303-8432. Follow her on Twitter @susanvela.
[ad_2]
Source link
