KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Monday, the California-based OIR Group conducted its first public input session regarding the response of Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS) officers to protests held over the summer.
Previously, the City of Kalamazoo announced that area residents were invited to participate in an independent study of KDPS’s responses. This was the first of two planned virtual sessions to collect information.
The City contracted with OIR Group to complete an independent assessment of KDPS’s response to protests that occurred on May 30 – June 2, 2020, and on
KDPS moving in to clear the scene in downtown Kalamazoo during a Proud Boys rally in August 2020. (Photo courtesy of John McNeill).
August 15, 2020.
“This review is an important step to move our community forward,” Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manger for the City of Kalamazoo Dorla Bonner said in a previous statement. “Although the City of Kalamazoo doesn’t have an active role in this review, we do encourage people participate in these input sessions or contact OIR directly to share their feelings and experiences from these events.”
The group was chosen with input from the Citizens Public Safety Review and Appeals Board.
“We are very early on in our fact collection, we certainly haven’t come to any conclusions, because you don’t want to do that while information is coming in,” Michael Gennaco of OIR Group said during the session. “The input from the Kalamazoo community is going to be crucial for us, the perspectives, insight for those who were participants, for those who have a view about how the police responded based on media reports, or just having a general sense in the community. Those are going to be important pieces for us to have.”
Gennaco said that all input and responses would be noted in the study as they are collected.
“This isn’t so much asking us questions at this point,” Gennaco added. “There will be a time for that next spring when we are completed with our report, and we’ll spend as much time with you answering questions as we are able.”
Members of the community who wish to provide public input may participate at the next session, which will be held virtually via Zoom meeting and through the City of Kalamazoo’s Facebook and YouTube pages. That next session will take place at 6 p.m. on Monday, January 25.
The Zoom link is listed below for the next session:
- Monday, January 25, 6 p.m.: https://zoom.us/j/92115731459
Community members can also provide comments directly to OIR Group by email at michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com or by calling (323) 412-0334.
Residents can view a recording of the first input session on YouTube at this link, or view the embedded video below.
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