City of Kalamazoo - Citizen Public Safety Review and Appeals Board

City of Kalamazoo - Citizen Public Safety Review and Appeals Board - August 11, 2026 Meeting

Updated 1 minute ago

The Citizens Public Safety Review and Appeal Board convenes to address an appeal by Darnell Smith regarding a complaint against Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety officers. Smith alleges misconduct by officers during an incident on Princeton Avenue, including improper arrest and excessive force. The board reviews the appeal, hears Smith's testimony, and examines the investigation by the Office of Professional Standards, which had exonerated the officers on most charges. The meeting provides an in-depth analysis of the incident and the board’s process in handling appeals.

Chapters

Call to Order (00:01:13)
The meeting is officially called to order by the chair.

The chairperson officially calls the Citizens Public Safety Review and Appeal Board meeting to order.
Roll Call (00:01:16)
Attendance is taken with all members present.

The roll call is conducted, with members Jason Allen, Christopher Caldwell, Ashley Huber, Ebony Hemphill, Barbara Miller, Regina Miller, Susan Stapleton, Teresa Thrash, and Tamara present.
Opening of Appeal Hearing (00:01:42)
Regular meeting is closed and the appeal hearing is opened.

The chair announces the closure of the regular meeting and the opening of the appeal hearing regarding a public safety complaint.
Introduction of Appeal Case (00:02:04)
The case of Darnell Smith's appeal against KDPS officers is introduced.

The chair introduces the appeal case filed by Darnell Smith against KDPS officers Zachary Mendo and Michael Miller, alleging improper conduct. The complaint's investigation and the referral to the board are outlined.
Review of Hearing Outline (00:03:07)
The hearing process and rules are reviewed with board members.

The chair reviews the outline and rules for the hearing, ensuring all board members have the necessary documents and understand the procedures.
Conflict of Interest Inquiry (00:03:25)
Board members are asked about potential conflicts of interest.

The chair asks if any board member has a conflict of interest that would prevent them from rendering an unbiased opinion. No conflicts are noted.
Appellant's Presentation (00:05:08)
Darnell Smith presents his case to the board, detailing his grievances and the basis for his appeal.

Darnell Smith addresses the board, expressing his concerns over the police handling of the incident involving a tow truck driver and alleged improper conduct by officers. He discusses the discrepancies in the police report, his interactions with officers, and the impact of the charges against him, which were ultimately dropped.
Public Comments and Testimony (00:27:50)
Mr. Smith presents his account of an incident involving police officers, citing miscommunication and wrongful arrest. He details the event, his actions, and interactions with law enforcement.

Mr. Smith speaks extensively about an incident involving a tow truck driver and police officers. He describes how the police were called to the scene, his interactions with the officers, and his arrest. Mr. Smith argues that there was a miscommunication and that he was wrongly arrested. He alleges that the officers did not properly investigate the situation, did not review available video evidence, and did not interview witnesses. He also discusses issues with the handling of evidence and the appeal process. Mr. Smith expresses frustration and a sense of injustice regarding the incident.
Office of Professional Standards Report (00:50:25)
Inspector Chuck Mason presents the findings of the Office of Professional Standards on Mr. Smith's complaint. Allegations include improper arrest and excessive force.

Inspector Chuck Mason from the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety presents the findings of the Office of Professional Standards regarding Mr. Smith's complaint against public safety officers. The report addresses several allegations made by Mr. Smith, including improper arrest, excessive force, and failure to address concerns about tight handcuffs. The investigation involved reviewing body camera footage and interviewing officers. One allegation related to property mishandling was sustained, while others were investigated in detail.
Officer Interviews and Investigative Process (00:53:02)
Discussion on the weight of officer interviews during investigations and the consequences of lying, which include termination.

The meeting began with a detailed discussion on the importance of officers telling the truth during investigations. It was emphasized that lying by officers can lead to termination, and therefore, officer interviews are given significant weight in the investigative process.
Incident Report: Assault and Dispatch Details (00:53:24)
Officers dispatched to a reported assault involving a repo company driver and a homeowner, leading to body camera footage review.

Officers were dispatched to respond to an assault report where a repo company driver claimed to have been shoved by a homeowner. The dispatch provided a description of the suspect, and the meeting involved reviewing body camera footage from officers involved in the incident.
Body Camera Footage Review (00:54:47)
Review of body camera footage from Officer Men and Officer Miller, showing interactions at the scene of the reported assault.

During the meeting, footage from Officer Men's and Officer Miller's body cameras was reviewed. The footage depicted their interactions at the scene, including attempts to identify the parties involved and the alleged assault by the homeowner against the repo company driver.
Officer and Suspect Interaction (01:00:15)
Officers' attempts to identify the suspect, Mr. Smith, and the escalation leading to his arrest for obstruction.

The meeting covered the interactions between officers and Mr. Smith, the suspect. Officers requested identification, which Mr. Smith refused, leading to a confrontation. Despite multiple requests, Mr. Smith did not comply, resulting in his arrest for obstruction.
Arrest Procedure and Allegations (01:06:09)
Mr. Smith's arrest procedure, his allegations of improper arrest, and the officers' justification for their actions.

The meeting detailed the arrest procedure of Mr. Smith, who claimed his arrest was improper. Officers explained their need to identify Mr. Smith as part of the investigation. Mr. Smith's refusal to provide his name led to his arrest, which he resisted, prompting officers to use force to detain him.
Review of Allegations Against Officers (01:15:56)
Discussion on Mr. Smith's allegations of improper arrest and the officers' defense based on protocol and evidence.

The meeting concluded with a review of Mr. Smith's allegations that his arrest was based on unverified claims. Officers defended their actions by stating they followed protocol and were required to identify Mr. Smith as part of the criminal investigation. The meeting emphasized the necessity of officer identification in such cases.
Report on Criminal Investigation and Arrest Review (01:18:55)
The officers were exonerated as their conduct during the arrest was lawful and within the KDPS policy standards.

During the meeting, details were provided about the criminal investigation conducted by officers. It was discussed how the suspect ignored orders and resisted the officers, leading to an arrest. The officers had probable cause, which is the standard for arrest, and were exonerated of any misconduct as their actions were within KDPS policy.
Allegation of Excessive Force by Officers (01:19:20)
Allegations of excessive force were split into two parts; both officers' actions were deemed reasonable under the circumstances.

Mr. Smith alleged that officers used excessive force on three occasions during his arrest. The review of the body camera footage and officer reports showed that the use of force was consistent with the Graham standard, which allows for necessary force given the context. The officers attempted to de-escalate the situation and used reasonable techniques like the Mura grip to control Mr. Smith without causing serious injury.
Review of Handcuffing Procedures and Allegations (01:22:01)
Officers adjusted the handcuffs when complaints were made, and their actions were in line with policy, leading to their exoneration.

Mr. Smith alleged that the officers did not address his complaints about tight handcuffs. The officers adjusted the handcuffs multiple times and explained the situation to Mr. Smith. Body-worn camera footage showed the adjustments being made and the officers' attempts to ensure Mr. Smith's comfort. The review concluded that the handcuffs were applied and adjusted appropriately, following KDPS policy.
Allegation of Failure to Interview Witnesses (01:27:38)
There was no evidence that officers failed to interview known witnesses, and they were exonerated of this allegation.

Mr. Smith claimed that the officers did not interview witnesses to his incident. The meeting discussed how at no point did Mr. Smith inform the officers of witnesses who could corroborate his claims. The officers followed standard procedure, and there was no indication that they ignored any known witnesses. Therefore, they were exonerated of this allegation.
Discussion and Questions from the Board (01:28:59)
Board members asked questions to clarify the timeline and actions taken during the incident and subsequent investigation.

The board engaged in a discussion to clarify the sequence of events, including the initial call, the arrest on charges of resisting, and the subsequent handling of the assault allegation. Questions were raised regarding the timeline and the decisions made by the officers during the incident. The board's inquiries were addressed with detailed explanations of the procedures followed by the officers.
Conclusion and Closing of Hearing (01:35:02)
The hearing was officially closed, and the board moved to a closed session for deliberation.

At the conclusion of the meeting, with no further questions from the board, the hearing was officially closed. The board announced that they would convene in a closed session to deliberate on the matters discussed during the meeting.