City of East Lansing Accepting Applications for Independent Police Oversight Commission

After unanimously approving Ordinance 1503, which established the Independent Police Oversight Commission for the City of East Lansing, City Council will begin accepting applications from those who would like to serve on the Commission.

The application – available here – is open now through Sunday, Aug. 1. The Commission will consist of 11 members, who will each serve three-year terms.

According to a press release from the City, “The City Council is seeking to appoint individuals to the Commission who reflect the City’s diverse population and particularly segments of the community that are protected by the City’s civil rights ordinance.” (You may view the civil rights ordinance here.)

Two members of the Commission can be non-residents, meaning they reside outside the City of East Lansing. Council also intends to appoint two commissioners “who are licensed social workers or psychologists professionally engaged in helping people experiencing crisis, homelessness, mental illness, substance use disorders or domestic abuse.”

“The purpose of the Commission is to increase accountability of the East Lansing Police Department and strengthen conditions leading to trust in the police department by the community that it is pledged to serve,” the press release stated.

The Commission will focus its efforts on “addressing racial inequities as well as use of force in policing. The Commission will enable members of the community to participate in reviewing and making recommendations about police department policies, practices and procedures, and it will provide means for prompt, impartial and fair review of complaints brought by individuals against police officers or the police department,” according to the press release.