Feds To Help Dearborn Police Rebuild Trust In Wake Of 2 Fatal Shootings

DEARBORN (WWJ) - The U.S. Justice Department is stepping in to help Dearborn Police rebuild trust after two deadly shootings of unarmed African-Americans from Detroit.

The shootings have strained relationships between police and Dearborn residents, some who feel that more needs to be done to bring justice. Several protest marches demanding action from police have been held -- including one that threatened to shut down the busy Michigan Avenue retail corridor.

The Justice Department's help comes in the form of technical assistance offered through the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, or the COPS program.

Details about the assistance will be shared at a news conference in Dearborn Thursday.

The city asked for the help in the wake of two deadly shootings earlier this year.

Kevin Matthews, 35, was shot several times as he struggled with a Dearborn officer following a foot chase that ended in Detroit on December 23. Officials said Matthews was involved in an earlier larceny in Dearborn and was wanted on a misdemeanor warrant in Redford Township.

Janet Williams, 31, was shot multiple times by a Dearborn police officer outside Fairlane Town Center following a police chase that began with an incident at the JC Penny store in the mall on January 27. When Williams got stuck in traffic, the officers decided to approach her vehicle on foot. Police say that's when Williams "hit the gas" and almost struck one of the officers, who fired his weapon.

Both shootings are being investigated by Michigan State Police.