Commissioners ARE NOT part of the Detroit Police Department.

Commissioners are responsible for providing civilian oversight of the Detroit Police Department.

Board of Police Commissioners

The Detroit Board of Police Commissioners (BOPC) was created in 1974 by the City Charter, which gives the Board supervisory control and oversight of the Detroit Police Department. The ​Board, voted into existence by the people of Detroit, is composed of eleven members. Under normal circumstances, seven Commissioners are elected from each district and four are appointed by the Mayor. Each year, the Board elects a chairperson and vice chair. The Board also appoints a Secretary, a Chief Investigator and additional civilian staff.

Office of the Chief Investigator

The City Charter establishes the Office of the Chief Investigator (OCI) to fulfill the BOPC’s duty to investigate non-criminal complaints concerning the operation of the Detroit Police Department. The Board appoints civilian investigators and a civilian Chief Investigator to lead the OCI. The OCI forwards allegations of criminality to the appropriate internal or external law enforcement agency for further investigation.

Duties and Responsibilities

The City Charter bestows duties and responsibilities* to the BOPC in the following major areas regarding the Police Department:

• Policies

• Budget

• Non-criminal complaint investigations

• Promotion approvals

• Discipline

• Annual Report

• Subpoena power

• Police Chief recruiting

• HR Director selection and appointment

*Details can be found on starting on page 66 of the 2012 Detroit City Charter.

Why Civilian Oversight is Important

The Detroit City Charter Declaration of Rights says, “The City’s police forces are in all cases and at all times in strict subordination to the civil power.” However, if you have ever had an encounter with a police officer, who does it feel like is in charge? Because of an officer’s training, weapons, distinct uniform, and protections under the law, police wield an enormous amount of power, just by their mere presence. If left unchecked, that power has the potential to be abused intentionally or unintentionally. And that’s where civilian oversight comes in. In theory, and if leveraged appropriately, civilian oversight gives the public…YOU…a mechanism to control:

• What police do and how they do it (policies)

• How much they are funded (budget)

• How misconduct is handled (complaints and discipline)

• Transparency (annual report and subpoena power)

• Operational leadership (Chief, HR Director, promotions)

Civilian Oversight is one of the most important but often overlooked function in our city. Establish or renew your commitment to engage in Civilian Oversight today! Participate in a weekly BOPC meeting!