Detroit Board Of Police Commissioners Want Their Power Restored

DETROIT (WWJ) - Detroit Board of Police Commissioners say their power needs to be restored to help prevent the kind of police incidents we've seen in other places across the country.

At issue, reports WWJ's Stephanie Davis, is the charter mandated authority that gives power to the board in Detroit. This board makes decisions on issues like officer discipline but that authority has been given to the mayor for a year per the emergency manager.

Commission Chair Willie Bell says their power should be restored - noting the alleged police brutality in places like Ferguson, Missouri and most recently in one of the borough of New York.

"We spent 11 years under the Justice Department - millions of dollars were spent - we are not being monitored for the next 18 months. We are not completely out from under that," said Bell.

He says the commission will explore more legal options to fight to retain their role over the police department.

Detroit's mayor and police chief are opposing the fight.

"I don't know what they are afraid of," said Bell, "we just want quality police service for all people, especially in Detroit. So, that's the bottom line. We commend the chief, he's doing a good job but there are some issues that we have to deal with."

The police commission board is comprised of publically elected persons.