EAST LANSING, Mich. — Following seven months of discussion, research and community outreach, the East Lansing Study Committee on an Independent Police Oversight Commission (Study Committee) has finalized its “Report on East Lansing Policing and National Models of Community Police Oversight” and “Recommendations for an Ordinance to Create an Independent Police Oversight Commission.”
The report and recommendations have been shared with the East Lansing City Council and are available for the public to review at www.cityofeastlansing.com/2126/Police-Review-Study-Committee. A special presentation of the report and recommendations will be provided by the Study Committee at Council’s June 8 electronic meeting and Council will discuss the report and recommendations at its June 15 electronic meeting. Details on how to watch and provide public comment at these meetings will be posted ahead of time at www.cityofeastlansing.com/electronicmeetings. The City of East Lansing’s attorney will then draft an ordinance for the establishment of an Independent Police Oversight Commission, which will be reviewed by Council prior to its adoption.
Background on the Study Committee
City Council adopted a resolution to establish a Study Committee in May 2020 for the purposes of examining police relations with the community and conducting research in order to ultimately propose to Council a framework for the establishment of a Police Oversight Commission in East Lansing. The Study Committee began holding public meetings (held electronically) twice a month in October 2020, including a special public meeting on March 29, 2021 that was held for the sole purpose of listening to comments, questions and concerns from East Lansing residents and people from surrounding areas.
The 11-member Study Committee consisted of the following Council-appointed community members and stakeholders: Chuck Grigsby (chair), Christ Root (vice chair), Cedrick Heraux, Erick Williams, Helen Josephson, Kathleen Boyle, Kelli Ellsworth-Etchinson, Noel Garcia Jr., Quentin Tyler, Sharron Reed-Davis and Sadé Callwood. The Study Committee was also assisted by several City of East Lansing staff resources: https://www.cityofeastlansing.com/2126/Police-Review-Study-Committee.