East Lansing is creating an independent commission to oversee the city’s police department.
Like many police departments, the one in East Lansing has been confronted with allegations of unnecessary use of force.
That has led to a recent survey of residents and a public forum on policing.
The survey found African American residents are more satisfied than dissatisfied with the department, but at a rate that was 26 points lower than all city respondents.
City Manager George Lahanas says he expects people will be tapped to join the independent oversight commission by mid-June.
“They will be looking at data, they will be looking at complaints, will be able to review complaints and offer an opinion on complaints that may be different than what the department says,” said Lahanas.
Lahanas hopes a follow-up survey will show East Lansing is building trust in the police department.