Police Commissioners Ricardo R. Moore and Richard Shelby spoke about the duties of police commissioners at the Thursday, October 22 Neighborhood Safety Meeting. The commissioners explained that the Board of Police Commissioners was adopted in 1973 to bridge the gap between citizens and law enforcement officials. The aim of the Board remains the same. As Commissioner Moore emphasized, the Board “cannot be effective without community input.”

Among its duties, the Board oversees the Detroit Police Department, approving promotions, policy changes, the hiring of the chief investigator, handling civil complaints, and approving the budget. The Office of the Chief Investigator processes non-criminal complaints made against the Detroit Police Department. This process includes an investigation into the complaint and issuing findings on the complaints.

Commissioner Moore explained that there are three components to crime: the criminal, the victim, and the opportunity. Crime prevention focuses on decreasing and even eliminating the opportunities for crime. This goal requires community members to become involved, to connect with resources, and to voice their concerns with the Board of Police Commissioners. The Board meets every Thursday. The meetings are open to the public. The next Board of Police Commissioners Meeting is Thursday, November 5 at 3 pm at Police Headquarters, 1301 Third Ave. Suite 767-South. For the dates, times, and locations of future meetings, go to: http://www.detroitmi.gov/Calendar-Events.

Residents who would like to voice their concerns can contact Police Commissioner Ricardo R. Moore at ricardodgermoore@yahoo.com or 313.596.1812 or Police Commissioner Richard Shelby at richardsct@hotmail.com or 313.596.1826.

There will be no Neighborhood Safety Meeting in November. Neighborhood Safety Meetings will resume on Thursday December 17 at 6:30 pm at the North Rosedale Park Community House, 18445 Scarsdale. Neighborhood Safety Meetings are free and open to the public. For questions, contact Sabrina Bergman at 313.387.4732, ext. 109.

The above photo features GRDC Community Security Intern Vera Bennett and first time attendee and raffle prize winner Robert Plant, Jr.