KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The Kalamazoo City Commission has voted in favor of finding ways to develop and execute an action plan into police procedures and race relations in the wake of several city protests in the last few weeks.
During a virtual meeting Monday night that lasted well into the early hours of Tuesday, Commissioners heard from City Manager Jim Ritsema, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Dorla Bonner and Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS) Chief Karianne Thomas.
Before discussions of the plan took place, Chief Thomas addressed the department’s response to protests that occurred over the last few weeks in Kalamazoo.
Criticism had been aimed at some of KDPS’s response to the protests, which included police from the Crowd Management team dressed in riot gear, as well as the deployment of tear gas and the presence of National Guard members.
Protests were also held in response to these tactics outside of the KDPS building in regards to the department’s response.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, which lasted over two hours, over 80 citizens called in for measures such as KDPS releasing their policy handbook for public viewing, apologies from the department regarding their handling of the protests, a ban on the use of tear gas, defunding the police system and reallocating its funds, and how the funds are allocated in the city budget, among others.
Many described KDPS’s response as “appalling.” Comments were still being fielded after midnight. Only a few voiced their support for the department. One caller explained that those who live and work downtown were “literally terrorized” by this incident.
As a result, city officials have announced plans to hire an outside investigator into the tactics used. Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Dorla Bonner will help hire the outside investigator.
In responding to the concerns of the tactics used, Chief Thomas said that the police presence was not meant to intimidate peaceful protesters.
Thomas reiterated that the Crowd Management Team was called in once citizens downtown started getting out of hand, smashing windows and performing other acts of vandalism.
Thomas noted that, until these protests, the department has not used tear gas since 2014, during which time a mob attempted to push over an ice cream truck. She added that rubber bullets were not used to disperse the crowd because the department does not have rubber bullets, but she did not elaborate from there. The chief explained that past 10 p.m. on June 1st during the police response, it was no longer a protest.
Thomas also pointed out that the department has received several emails regarding the “8 Can’t Wait” tactics, saying that the department already follows 7 of the 8 methods. She said that the department does not use choke holds or other tactics which block airways.
She said that the department is also trained in deescalation tactics, giving warnings before shooting, crisis intervention, and more. She also said officers have a duty to report officers using excessive force. Comprehensive reporting is also required.
Chief Thomas explained that in 2019, public safety officers had 320 use of force incidents in 5,400 arrests, which means about 6% of arrests required force.
In discussing what will be done next, City Manager Jim Ritsema and Diversity Director Dorla Bonner outlined a plan of action that can be viewed at this link.
The plan calls for an independent investigation of the protest response, whether it was handled correctly, whether the department’s procedures were appropriate, and what recommendations could be implemented for future responses.
It also calls for the following provisions:
- Review of Public Safety policies, through an equity lens, directly related to events surrounding and leading up to protests.
- Community Public Safety Review and Appeals Board (CPSRAB) will be involved in selection of outside investigator.
- Addition of a Public Information Officer to improve public communication.
There will also be an updated traffic stop study conducted to see whether any traffic stop biases are present and how they can be addressed. Such a study has not been taken since 2013.
An analysis will also begin on how to strengthen the Public Safety internal review process and review the roles and responsibility of the CPSRAB.
The plan also lists the following factors, which are ongoing at this time:
Increased training for Public Safety and City of Kalamazoo staff, including:
- History of racism in the United States
- History of racism and protest in Kalamazoo
- Implicit biases
Strengthen relationships within community:
- Create opportunities for community to share their experiences with Public Safety
- Community healing conversations
- Learn from communities that have strong relationships between law enforcement and community
A measure introduced by Commissioner Eric Cunningham to overhaul the hiring process of KDPS officers was also approved. Cunningham said the hiring process should be in line with what citizens want from police.
Cunningham said that the motion is meant to create a better idea of who should be hired as an officer, and a better picture should be clear within the next six months. He added that cultural competency would be a key factor in hiring new officers.
Furthermore, a measure was also approved that is meant to collect community input on data requests from KDPS. Thomas said that she will work with city officials to figure out what data should be collected and analyzed. This data collection is expected between 30 days to six months.
City Attorney Clyde Robinson pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic may create delays in collecting such data and input from the community. Cunningham said that the traffic study component is a good idea, but other factors, such as use of force by police, should also be measured and addressed.
While a reformed hiring process plan is expected, Chief Thomas said that the department is in need of new officers, as there are 12 vacant positions with more expected.
Ritsema and Bonner added that while these measures are a good start, there is still much work to be done.
“We know that this is going to be difficult work, it’s gonna be messy, and we’re committed to it,” Ritsema said. “This is just the beginning.”
“We’re all in a process of trying to make change in ways we’ve never done before, so we’re open to listening and adjusting,” Bonner added.
Commissioner Cunningham closed out commissioner comments during the early morning hours. He asked the community to continue to engage and protest.
“I support defunding. I support dismantling. I support anything that’s going to be the right path,” Cunningham said.
He explained that every option should be on the table, everything “from dismantling to adding 800 new officers.”
The meeting was adjourned around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday. Mayor Anderson joked that it could be a new record for the city commission.
