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.
I will be live reporting the Detroit Board of police Commissioners meeting today at 3pm for #DetroitDocumenters
01:00 PM Jun 26, 2025 CDT
I can hear people milling around. They should be getting started any minute
The roll was called and the following Commissioners answered present:
Woods
Bernard
Banks
Bell
Dewaelsche
Moore
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
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.
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
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
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
The nominations being unchanged, the vote was taken again and commissioner Woods was elected vice chair with 6 votes
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?
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
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
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
Same commenter says he was sent by God and is God’s representative
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
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/
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
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
The ‘gas station bum rush” is a common tactic that I have been hearing about for years at this point.
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..
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
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!”
Deputy chief said he has records of several complaints from this person and that they are being considered
Public comment having ended, the board will now hear the Human Resources report