DETROIT (WXYZ) — The City of Detroit Board of Police Commissioners have approved changes that will bring what they say are "immediate reforms to use of force by the police department."
The reforms approved were part of proposals made by Board back in June and submitted to the Department and community amid global protests sparked by the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police.
“In roughly two months, we have changed, we have reformed,” said Chair Willie Bell. “I want to thank all the Police Commissioners, and especially Police Commissioner Evette Griffie, for showing that Detroit’s 46-year-old civilian oversight process is robust and effective, and that progress happens when the community and police work together.”
The new policy directives ban:
- Carotid or chokeholds,
- Require a deescalation continuum and a minimal reliance on force;
- Establish measures for reporting when an officer threatens to use force, and
- Require officers to intervene or intercede and report when others use excessive force.
Another set of changes require expanding reports of use of force, discipline, and other types of data available for the public on open data portals, according to the Board.
The Board says it has continued to support peaceful protests while urging the public to participate with change and civilian oversight through policy reviews, attending meetings, participating in precinct police-community relations councils, and offering feedback and complaints about police encounters to (313) 596-2499.
The Board also approved on Aug. 27 a resolution against the use of police at voting sites.
