Board of Police Commissioners

Detroit Board of Police Commissioners
Criminal Justice

Thursday, June 26, 2025
3:00 p.m. — 5:00 p.m. EDT

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1301 Third Street South Detroit 48226 (Directions)

Suite 767

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Reporting

Edited and summarized by the Detroit - MI Documenters Team

Live reporting by Nathaniel Eichenhorn

The board elected Commissioner Eva Garza Dewaelsche to serve as the new board chair, and Commissioner Darryl Woods as vice chair. Commissioners also approved a resolution opposing Trump's deployment of federal police and military to local communities.

Nachum Eichenhorn

Hello #Detroit !

I will be live reporting the Detroit Board of police Commissioners meeting today at 3pm for #DetroitDocumenters

01:00 PM Jun 26, 2025 CDT

Nachum Eichenhorn @eichenhorn.bsky.social 3/33

I can hear people milling around. They should be getting started any minute

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The meeting was called to order at 3:01pm

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The roll was called and the following Commissioners answered present:

Woods
Bernard
Banks
Bell
Dewaelsche
Moore

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The minutes and agenda were approved.

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Corporation Counsel is present today. That’s a term some may not be familiar with, so here’s some background

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporation_counsel?wprov=sfla1

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First up, a resolution honoring Raphael B. Johnson

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A second resolution honoring Officer John Widmer

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Now nominations for board officers

Nachum Eichenhorn @eichenhorn.bsky.social 12/33

Commissioner Dewaelsche was nominated and confirmed for chair with 8 votes

Commissioner Woods and Smith were nominated and deadlocked with 5 votes each. No election.

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Comm’r Burton says he doesn’t want chair and vice chair to turn into a revolving door where the same people occupy those positions over and over

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Comm’r Moore expressed worry about electing officers who will not be on the board after Jan 1st.

An attack was made on Comm’r Woods, to the effect that he was removed from the post before.

The board called for a sudden 5 minute recess and has left the room. I’ll let you know when they return

Nachum Eichenhorn @eichenhorn.bsky.social 15/33

The board has reconvened and moved to reopen the nominations. Roll was

Ayes
Woods
Smith
Banks
Moore
Presley
Dewaelsche

Nos
Bernard
Bell
Burton
One who’s name was lost by the audio

The motion fails as it needs a 2/3rds majority

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The nominations being unchanged, the vote was taken again and commissioner Woods was elected vice chair with 6 votes

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There was some discussion about Robert’s rules and the vote. Comm’r Burton asked what was discussed to make Comm’r Dewaelsche retract their nomination. The chair replied that Burton didn’t want to go down that “rabbit hole”.

I wonder if this touches the Open Meetings Act?

Nachum Eichenhorn @eichenhorn.bsky.social 18/33

The chief of Police report was given by proxy, in the absence of the chief. There was gunfire at Randolph and Learned during the fireworks and the DPD is looking for the perpetrators

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Moving on to public comment

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A commenter voiced objections to federal troops being deployed to cities in general and Detroit in particular, asserting it violated the city charter’s provision on civil control of policing

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Next commenter voiced complaints about the proliferation of party stores in the city that “don’t even belong here”. He was referred to the Corporation Counsel

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Same commenter says he was sent by God and is God’s representative

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Minister Eric Blount spoke, saying that Comm’r Dewaelsche is becoming the “captain of a sinking ship” and said that the $63 million spent by the city in settlement is a measure of failure

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Bernice Smith thanked the Commission for honoring her with a dinner earlier in the week

https://michiganchronicle.com/mother-bernice-has-her-eye-on-detroit/

Nachum Eichenhorn @eichenhorn.bsky.social 25/33

A commenter complained that they were harassed and had their property confiscated by police and have not been able to get it back for months. Commissioner Moore asked if these types of reports are increasing after he published a “PSA” on the matter.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3509672185834735&id=100003759655825&set=a.114282728707048

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The next commenter spoke in support of the upcoming resolution against federal incursion into the city, and spoke about the fear people are feeling even going about normal business

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Next commenter has effusive praise for the police.

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The ‘gas station bum rush” is a common tactic that I have been hearing about for years at this point.

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Next commenter had a harrowing story of her son who was, according to them, was dragged behind a car, allegedly intentionally, and sustained multiple grave injuries..

Nachum Eichenhorn @eichenhorn.bsky.social 30/33

and asked that the DPD apprehend the driver and complained that her son was initially under guard while unconscious and she was prevented from seeing him when he was likely in extremis. She was referred to the deputy chief for answers

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Minister Blount, who was comforting the commenter as she spoke, yelled at the council that their response was insufficient, pointing out that the man is still in the hospital, still in grave danger. When told he was out of order, Blount replied “Then arrest me!”

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Deputy chief said he has records of several complaints from this person and that they are being considered

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Public comment having ended, the board will now hear the Human Resources report

Agency Information

Detroit Board of Police Commissioners

The Board of Police Commissioners has supervisory control and oversight of the Police Department, including plenary authority over citizen complaints and the power to appoint fact finders, subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, take testimony, and require the production of evidence. The Board also appoints a civilian as Director of Police Personnel and approves all promotions made by the Chief. The 11 member board is comprised of 7 elected members from each city council district and 4 members appointed by the Mayor. https://detroitmi.gov/government/boards/board-police-commissioners

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