What can be done about policing in America? Episode 1 of โSolutionariesโ tackles this very question
Itโs probably a word youโve never heard before, but itโs not made up: A Solutionary is someone who recognizes a problem or injustice in society, and comes up with creative and innovative ways to tackle those inequities, thus making the world a better place, one step at a time.
New app aims to help drivers safely navigate traffic stops
As this country has seen numerous times, traffic stops can often lead to scary interactions between law enforcement and citizens -- especially for minorities. Legal Equalizer is an app designed to help keep citizens safe during a traffic stop by by recording the stop and connecting users to help in real time. "The way the app works is when you log in, itโs going to ask you for access to your contacts -- please say yes. โWe also have (information on) what to do during police encounters and immigration encounters,โ Njaie said. Njaie says he has spoken with several police departments who have shown approval of the app, saying itโs a way to hold everyone accountable.
Detroit Police Department creates new office to strengthen community relations
DETROIT โ The Detroit Police Department is making moves to strengthen its relationship with the community amid a difficult and unsteady year. The department is creating a new office aimed at bringing together officers and citizens following local and national unrest over police brutality and racism. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan has credited the relationship that the city has with its police department for the largely peaceful protests and interactions with protesters. Violence at Detroit protests included police deploying tear gas, rubber bullets and arresting numerous demonstrators. โThis office will expand both the internal operations of officer support, and external efforts of procedural justice and policing legitimacy through community engagement,โ Craig said.
Striking University of Michigan students hold press conference, elaborate on anti-policing demands
Maren Spolum and Dr. Hannah Maier from Public Health will speak on the public health implications of GEO's demands. pic.twitter.com/qcTi6pZ3Ns โ GEO at U-Michigan (@geo3550) September 16, 2020U-M postdoctoral research fellow in Epidemiology Hannah Maier and public health doctoral student Maren Spolum each spoke on the public health implications of GEOโs demands. She discussed how policing is related to public health and how data from DPSS supports GEOโs demand to disarm police on campus. Addressing the U-Mโs claim that some demands are not bargaining items, GEO member Sasha Bishop went over each of GEOโs anti-policing demands. Bishop elaborated on why the student unions' demands address the universityโs commitment to diversity and inclusion.
New website featuring Livonia Police Department policies, data launched after groups call for transparency
LIVONIA, Mich. The Livonia Police Department unveiled a new website Friday featuring department policies and 2019 data. Through PACT, the Livonia community will have more insight into the Livonia Police Department. We always do.The Livonia PACT website, which links directly through the Livonia Police Department website will be releasing further data and policies in the days ahead. The site will also be updated to include a dashboard tracking Department data moving forward. I applaud Livonia Mayor Maureen Brosnan for releasing data about police traffic citations, arrest data, use of force incidents and department policies.
Michigan lawmakers discuss potential police reform plans
DETROIT Michigan state representatives revealed their plans to transform police and public safety Wednesday morning. The reform plans are coming from Detroiters and many -- Like Rep. Tenisha Yancey -- have law enforcement backgrounds. Yancey said facial recognition technology has to go due to how often it identifies people of color incorrectly. The press conference unveiled the Equal Justice for All plan, which revolves around four pillars of reform: police accountability, use of force protocols, community oversight and reinventing public safety. As a law enforcement veteran, he said the actions of the Minneapolis police toward George Floyd changed law enforcement forever.
Sen. Gary Peters hosts online forum on racial justice
LANSING, Mich. In a virtual campaign event, Sen. Gary Peters (D) touted recent proposals in the Senate on policing reform. Wendell Anthony and former Attorney General Eric Holder in the discussion which lasted just over an hour. Peters also criticized Senate Republicans for not passing what he considered meaningful reforms. The Republicans did not put forward the kind of concrete action that we need to take right now, he said. In a statement Peters opponent, John James called the event PR.Gary Peters doesnt speak for black people.
Michigan Gov. Whitmer proposes 4-pronged police reform plan: What it includes
The governors office says the four-pronged plan was developed in partnership with community leaders and law enforcement organizations. Require in-service training for all licensed law enforcement officers to maintain licensure. Authorize MCOLES (Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards) to do the following: Audit law enforcement agencies to ensure they are accurately reporting violations of law or improper use of force. On personnel:Provide incentive programs for law enforcement agencies to hire/retain officers who live where they work. All Michiganders, no matter their community or the color of their skin, deserve equal treatment under the law, Governor Whitmer said.
Michigan Gov. Whitmer supports โspiritโ of โdefunding police,โ open to ending qualified immunity
The action is being especially encouraged among marginalized communities, where policing -- and police brutality -- occurs more frequently. โYou look at budgets and theyโre focused on policing โ they should be focused on education, transportation, access to health care, access to skills and leveling the playing field." So, yeah, I mean, the spirit of it, I do support that spirit of it.โFollowing the interview with The Root, Gov. Whitmer said sheโs open to the idea of ending qualified immunity in Michigan. Whitmer also said she was open to legislation that would unseal police records, which New York lawmakers are expected to repeal.