By Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony, Contributing Writer
The recent police incident on Sunday, October 26, in the 8 Mile/Van Dyke area was a tragedy that should never have occurred.
It presents an opportunity to test the strength and the trust between the Detroit Police Department and the community-at-large. Detroit has come a long way in its relations between the community and the Police Department.
We must not go back to the days when there was no trust, no relationship, and a lack of transparency of most questionable incidents. Chief Todd Bettison is to be commended for the swift and transparent manner in which the incident involving the shooting of a woman over a traffic stop has been held.
It is clear from just a community observation that specific policies of the police department were systematically violated. Among those policies:
- No vehicle pursuits for traffic violations, which can result in loss of life and injury for both police and community members.
- This is not the wild wild west so police should not be shooting at vehicles fleeing a scene unless their lives or others are specifically in danger.
- Boxing in vehicles so that they are not able to move is not policy.
- At the request of a citizen for a supervisor, it is expected to be granted. This can assure the integrity and respect of both officer and citizen.
Policies are put in place for a reason. Officers are expected to follow them. It is clear that policies were not followed. Firing six shots at a woman – unarmed, non-threatening, who did present license, registration, and proof of insurance upon request – cannot be tolerated. Shooting pepper spray in the face when she poses no real threat is clearly out of order. Transferring her from the hospital to jail is just plain cruel. After six shots, this woman, by the grace of God, is still alive, suffering what appears to be only a few injuries. It does not excuse this situation, nor does it forgive any policy violations.
This case can be used in the training of officers to demonstrate what should not be done as well as what should be done to protect themselves and members of the community.
The Detroit Police Department, working with the Board of Police Commissioners, Crime Prevention Intervention unit, aligning itself with churches, non-profits, and other organizations, goes a long way to prevent this sort of behavior from occurring.
Crime is down in the city. This is no time to drive it back up. Working together with community activists, non-profits, and other leaders, Detroit will continue to be an example that other cities might follow. We urge the Detroit Police Department and the Wayne County Prosecutors office to deal with this matter fairly, legally, and transparently, in a manner that demonstrates to all that justice will be served and everyone will be held accountable.
Detroit is better than this.
Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony is the NAACP Detroit Branch President.
