Citizen Petition Leads to Police Oversight Commission Hearing on Use of Force and Deescalation
People experiencing behavioral health or mental health crises make up a “significant portion” of police use of force incidents in East Lansing.
Author: Heather Brothers
Heather Brothers is a Ph.D. candidate in the History Department at Michigan State University. Since joining the ELi team, she has reported regularly on the Arts Commission and Study Committee on an Independent Police Oversight Commission. Click here to read more about our staff.
Commissioners Question ELPD on Social Workers, Data Collection and Future Changes
Independent Police Oversight Commission continues to press specific issues.
East Lansing and MSU in the Spotlight of Midterm Elections
Election Day ran smoothly throughout the city, despite long lines of students registering at the last minute to vote.
ELPD Finds Officers Violated Policy; Oversight Commission Wants More Info
After an internal investigation, two officers are found in violation of wrongfully searching and detaining a 20-year-old Black man.
Visible Divergence in Community Concerns About Policing in East Lansing
The “Virtual Listening Session” revealed tensions around ELPD, the Independent Police Oversight Commission and issues of race and resources.
Council Majority Tells AG Dana Nessel to Drop Charges Against VanAtten
Recommendations put forth by the city’s Independent Police Oversight Committee are approved 3-1.
Police Oversight Commission Pushes City Council to Take a Stand on AG Charges Against VanAtten
The motion, which passed unanimously, now goes to city council for consideration.
Oversight Commission Requests ELPD Release Meijer Shooting Footage Within a Week
The Independent Police Oversight Commission passed a motion to advise ELPD Chief Kim Johnson to release police video footage of the officer-involved shooting at the Lake Lansing Meijer. Heather Brothers reports on last night’s meeting.
Discussion of Complaints and Use of Force Pushed Again as Police Oversight Commission Focuses on Data Collection, Administrative Tasks
The Commission decided to delve into complaints and use of force reports beginning in April. Heather Brothers reports for ELi.
Police Oversight Commission Moves To Ensure Public Access To Police Oversight Information
The commission unanimously approved a motion that directs City Staff and the police to ensure information that the Oversight Commission will be working with is available to the public. Heather Brothers reports.
ELPD Promises Robust Cooperation, Commission Wrangles with Logistics
East Lansing’s Independent Police Oversight Commission has still not examined the police department’s use-of-force reports from October or November despite meeting twice already. But the group did press ELPD officers on issues of racial bias, transparency, and cooperation at the Commission’s second meeting on Monday.
Police Oversight Commission Debates Relationship with ELPD, Use of Force Reports at First Meeting
Should ELPD administrators attend the Independent Police Oversight Commission meetings? What information should be included in use of force reports? Here’s what the commissioners had to say at their first meeting.
Debate Over Command Officers’ Contract Splits Council in 4-1 Vote
Council approved the Settlement Agreement between the City and ELPD’s command officers in a 4-1 vote. Why did a Council member ask for discussion on the contract and ultimately vote against it?
Council Appoints Police Oversight Commission. Who Are the 11 Members?
After reviewing 39 applications and conducting 37 interviews, representatives for the City of East Lansing selected 11 commissioners, and Council gave its approval. Who are the new commissioners?
EL Library Workers Rally, Press Trustees to Hear Their Side of Contract Dispute
Supporters at the library workers’ rally included fellow librarians from MSU, LCC, and CADL, plus several East Lansing citizens, including one candidate for City Council.
Construction Continues at ELPL Amid Concerns About Increasing Costs
The cost of library renovations could reach $1.5 million by the time the work is complete. The Library Board of Trustees is looking to Council for financial support.
Only East Lansing’s Mayor and Williamstown’s Supervisor Refused to Join Sheriff’s Rebuke of Prosecutor
Elected Sheriff Scott Wriggelsworth declined to tell ELi earlier this week who was with him and who against him on a controversial firearms issue. Now we know. ELi’s Heather Brothers reports.
City Council Says ‘No’ To Signing Off On Sheriff’s Rebuke of Prosecutor
Ingham County Sheriff Scott Wriggelsworth has been canvassing municipalities in an attempt to get local leaders to sign onto his statement opposing County Prosecutor Carol Siemon’s reforms. Heather Brothers reports on his failure to convince East Lansing City Council to sign.
ELPD Participating in Training Focused on Intervention and Accountability
ELPD was selected to participate in Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement (ABLE) training, after Police Chief Kim Johnson submitted a request for ELPD’s inclusion in the program. When will the training take place? What will it entail?
Who applied to be on the Independent Police Oversight Commission?
The applications are in, and applicants are varied in background, area of expertise, and reasons for applying. What do we know about the applicant pool?
City Council and ELPD Reticent on Newly Announced Prosecutorial Changes
Several Ingham County police chiefs objected to Ingham County Prosecutor Carol Siemon’s changes to traffic stop protocol. ELPD has not made clear how the changes will affect East Lansing.
Council Approves Independent ELPD Oversight Commission, “Fair and Impartial Policing” Contract
Council unanimously voted in favor of establishing an independent police oversight commission but engaged in a heated debate over other policing issues before approving a “fair and impartial policing” contract. What were the points of contention?
Confidential Information? Subpoena Power? City Council Plans for Police Oversight
East Lansing’s City Council is moving quickly to adopt a plan for citizen oversight of ELPD that will largely reflect what the Study Committee has recommended. What is expected? ELi’s Heather Brothers reports.
Study Committee on Police Oversight Present Report and Recommendations to City Council
Representatives from the committee, including the chair and vice chair, presented the nearly 250-page document that includes a report and recommendations for an ordinance to establish a permanent oversight commission. The presentation also included information on the overrepresentation of Black people in interactions with the police, issues of trust, and more.
Formal Recommendations for Police Oversight Commission Will be Presented to Council Today
East Lansing’s Study Committee on an Independent Police Oversight Commission will present its findings and recommendations to City Council today. Heather Brothers reports on the Study Committee’s final discussions, which included concerns over transparency and cooperation between a future oversight commission and the City, including ELPD.
It’s Official: East Lansing City Council Will Create an Independent Police Oversight Commission
A press release from the City suggests Council will definitely establish an Independent Police Oversight Commission. But what might that look like? ELi’s Heather Brothers reports.
“Breach of Research Ethics” in East Lansing Survey on Policing Perspectives
A recent study of East Lansing residents’ attitudes on policing said it included 51 African American and/or Black respondents, but Dr. Cedrick Heraux discovered discrepancies after looking at the raw data. What did he find in his deep dive into the numbers?
Tensions Rise Over City Manager’s Office Withholding Results of Survey on East Lansing Policing
“The posture that is being taken tonight from the City Manager, to me, seems indicative of what’s to come for an oversight commission in how difficult things might be in this transparency quest,” said Study Committee member Kelli Ellsworth-Etchison. What’s going on?
School Board Member Calls East Lansing “A Sundown Town” as New Data Shows High Use of Force by Police Against Blacks
In the last four years, ELPD has used force against more Black people than white people, while whites in the population well outnumber Blacks. The City Manager’s call for expert analysis was met with harsh criticism Monday night.
East Lansing’s Black Residents Are Three Times As Likely to Be Stopped by ELPD as White Residents
ELPD Chief Kim Johnson calls the situation “unacceptable” and says he is determined to “take all necessary corrective actions within our agency” if further review of the data bears out the apparent pattern.
Reopening, Repairing, and Restructuring the ELPL
The library has tentative plans to reopen on Mar. 1. In the meantime, staff are implementing public health protocols and conducting a cultural diversity audit on the library’s collections. Heather Brothers reports.
Moving Toward Recommendation, Study Committee Learns Limitations of Prosecutorial Power in Ingham County
Ingham County’s top two prosecutors spoke with East Lansing’s Study Committee on an Independent Police Oversight Commission about what they’re trying to achieve when they review complaints made against police officers. The discussion involved how an oversight commission could advance transparency and policy-making.
Government | News | Schools
Rundown of Meetings from This Past Week
The City and school district held several important meetings this week. The ELi team brings you the updates.
‘Police Policing the Police’: Study Committee Frets Over Limits of Oversight
Committee members were concerned about the ultimate powers the Oversight Commission might hold and if the community would view it as independent. Heather Brothers reports.
Presentations to Police Study Committee Outline ELPD Complaints, ‘Uphill Struggle’ for Transparency
Presentations from Deputy Police Chief Steve Gonzalez and Human Rights Commissioner Liz Miller helped the Study Committee get a better grasp on the challenges ahead. Heather Brothers reports.
Arts Commission Concerned about Local Businesses and the Arts During Pandemic
The Arts Commission heard presentations from some of those applying for Cultural Arts Grants and brainstormed ways to help local businesses. Heather Brothers reports.
Police Oversight Study Committee Forms Subcommittees, Discusses Transparency Frustrations
The discussion about transparency comes days after the Human Rights Commission had a similar discussion about police transparency. Heather Brothers reports.
‘Race and Ethnicity’ Reports from ELPD Concern Study Committee
After a presentation on Oct. 26, several members of the Study Committee on an Independent Police Oversight Commission expressed concern about the rate at which ELPD officers interacted with African Americans. Heather Brothers reports.
Police Oversight Study Committee Yet to Approve Work Plan After 2nd Meeting
The meeting also featured a data presentation by Deputy Police Chief Steve Gonzalez and discussion of the police union’s role in the eventual oversight commission. Heather Brothers reports.
Government | News | Schools
Mixed Bag for MSU Game Day as Several Students Face Fines, Restorative Justice Program
What did game day look like in East Lansing look like on Saturday? And what will happen to students who violated public health orders? ELi’s Emily Joan Elliott and Heather Brothers report.
Multiple Public Art Projects Coming to East Lansing
What images best represent East Lansing? The Arts Commission weighed in as they finalize plans for a “Greetings from East Lansing” mural and other public art projects. ELi’s Heather Brothers reports.
“Cooped” Up Inside? These Friends Help You Get Out!
Chickens aren’t the typical family pet, but they may have more to give your family than you think. ELi’s Heather Brothers gets the coop scoop from Dr. Marguerite Halversen.
Ask ELi: How is East Lansing’s recycling handled now? Is a recycling sorting center coming to the area?
Has recycling in East Lansing changed recently? No, but it may soon change for the better. Heather Brothers brings us the answers to your questions.
“Parklets” and Outdoor Art Installations Coming to Downtown East Lansing
Winter is just around the corner, but the Arts Commission is looking to engage residents outdoors in the colder months. Find out what’s in store.