In January 2015, Inkster police officer William Melendez pulled over Detroit resident Floyd Dent, took him from his car, put him in a chokehold, and struck him repeatedly in the head. Melendez was subsequently fired and found guilty of assault and misconduct, and Dent reached a $1.4 million settlement with the city. High profile police brutality cases like this incident prompt us to examine the administrative practices and imprecise policies that undermine policing strategies in minority communities. In this talk, Dr. Patrick will explore provisions of Michigan legislation and local administrative practices that served as precursors to the Floyd Dent incident and undermined public trust within the Black community.
Soon after the Floyd Dent police brutality case exposed corruption, mismanagement, and racism within the Inkster Police Department, William T. Riley III assumed leadership of the embattled department in August 2015. In this presentation, Chief Riley will reflect on his efforts to transform relationships, establish trust, improve morale, reduce crime, and repair the reputation of the Inkster Police.
Calls for social justice and policing reform across the country have expanded discussions about how concerned citizens can meaningfully engage in the process of improving policing. Panel experts will discuss highly debated proposals regarding police oversight, de-escalation tactics, prosecutorial discretion, social advocacy, voting, and policy reforms, and they will present their recommendations for pursuing change.