Despite pressure from the NAACP, the city of Grand Rapids says, it’s not re-starting the search for the GRPD’s next police chief.
The NAACP Greater Grand Rapids branch had demanded that city officials restart the search after a public forum introduced the three finalists being considered as the next Chief of Police last week, arguing— that all three were unfit for the position, and that the community did not have enough input on who the finalists for the position should be.
However, City Manager Mark Washington made it clear at the City Commissioners meeting Tuesday, that he had no plans to scrap the search and begin again.
“It is a decision that I take very seriously,” he said.
The comments came during the city commissioners meeting Tuesday, where Mayor Rosalynn Bliss voiced her support for the three candidates, and said that the city had gone to great lengths to involve the community in the process.
“I do believe we have 3 strong candidates.”
One of the main criticisms has been finalist Jutiki Jackson after the public learned he had fatally shot a motorist during a traffic stop 24 years ago in Milwaukee, however after two separate investigations found the shooting to be an accident.
City Manager Mark Washington did not say when the new chief will be named.
