(DETROIT) – Today, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that they will deploy federal election observers to Detroit and Hamtramck for tomorrow’s city-wide elections. In response to this decision by DOJ, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) issued the following statement:
U.S. Representative John Conyers, Jr.
“With important elections being held in Detroit and Hamtramck tomorrow, I am pleased that the Department of Justice will be sending election observers to these cities,” said Conyers.
“There is no more important foundation in our democracy than the right of every citizen to participate in the electoral process free of discrimination. State and local governments must adhere to the responsibility to administer elections free of discrimination or irregularity. Sending in election observers will help ensure that this objective is achieved.
“I am hopeful that tomorrow’s election will result in all eligible voters participating in a free and fair election process. I applaud the Justice Department’s commitment to enforcing voting rights protections, and I look forward to a fair city-wide election.”
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Representative John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) issued the following statement applauding the Department of Justice’s decision to award Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grants to the City of Dearborn and the Hamtramck Police Department. The City of Dearborn will receive a $1,125,000 grant and the Hamtramck Police Department will receive a $441,682 grant.
The COPS Program has funded the hiring of more than 123,000 state and local police officers and sheriff’s deputies in communities across America since its enactment under the Clinton Administration. During a time of local budget shortfalls, the COPS program has helped stem the tide of officer layoffs by state and local law enforcement agencies and helped address the jobs crisis facing the U.S. today.
Studies have shown that the COPS program is a sound investment of taxpayer dollars. A 2005 GAO Report found that for every dollar spent on COPS hiring per capita, there was a drop of 30 index crimes per 100,000 persons. The program also provides resources to train police officers in community policing. Community oriented policing helps law enforcement officers form vital partnerships with the local community, which stretches policing capabilities and improves the quality of policing services.
U.S. Representative John Conyers, Jr.
“I am pleased to announce that, as a result of these grants, the citizens of Dearborn and Hamtramck will soon have additional officers on the streets to ensure that these communities remain safe and secure,” said Conyers. “The COPS program has been a successful nationwide effort to stem the loss of valuable police officers and jobs due to local budget shortfalls.
“In addition, by introducing H.R. 4098, the Shield Our Streets Act, I have proposed to do even more to fund state and local law enforcement, including hiring more police officers, particularly in areas facing high crime rates.”
(WASHINGTON) – This Saturday, Representative John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) will join President Obama at a White House ceremony honoring the National Association of Police Organizations’ (“NAPO”) TOP COPS award winners. Since 1994, NAPO has conferred TOP COPS awards on law enforcement officers from around the country for performing actions above and beyond the call of duty during the preceding year. Among this year’s award winners are 15 officers from the Detroit Police Department. They earned this honor for stopping a gunman in January 2011 who suddenly attacked the officers upon entering their precinct station.
U.S. Representative John Conyers, Jr. at swearing in of Hamtramck Police Chjief Maxwell Garbarino
“I’m proud to join President Obama in honoring these officers, who through a combination of training and personal courage, responded to a gunman who suddenly opened fire upon them within the safety of their own precinct,” said Conyers. “Although some were wounded, the officers stopped the assailant and no one but the gunman died that afternoon. Our police officers work hard to protect us from harm, and we must do all we can to support them as part of a comprehensive effort to prevent crime.
“That is why I have introduced H.R. 4098, ‘the Shield Our Streets Act’, to establish two new programs to supplement existing grants to help local governments in high crime areas hire more officers and fund public safety programs. Police officers put their lives on the line to protect our cities and they deserve recognition for their willingness to sacrifice on our behalf. But Congress also needs to do more to ensure that police officers, like those being honored, have all the tools necessary to get the job done and return home safely to their families.”
The names of this year’s TOP COPS honorees from the Detroit Police Department follow below.
Police Officer Melissa Adams
Police Officer David Anderson
Sergeant Marcellus A. Ball
Police Officer Bradley Clark
Police Officer Rodney Cushingberry
Commander Brian L. Davis
Sergeant Tyrone Guinn
Sergeant Michael Ingels
Police Officer Theodore Jackson, Jr.
Sergeant James Kirklin
Police Officer Lacell D. Rue
Sergeant Ray Toufic Saati
Sergeant Carrie Schulz
Investigator Amir G. Smith
Sergeant Joseph Turner, Jr.
For more information on the National Association of Police Organizations’ TOP COPS award follow thislink.
U.S. Representative John Conyers, Jr. at City of Hamtramck swearing in of Police Chief Max Garbarino and Fire Chief Paul Wilks by Judge Paul Paruk. This is the first time in the City's history two chiefs were sworn in at the same time.
Hamtramck Police Chief Max Garbrino and Hamtramck Fire Chief Paul Wilks
U.S. Representative John Conyers, Jr. and Hamtramck Police Chief Maxwell Garbrino
U.S. Representative John Conyers, Jr. and Hamtramck Fire Chief Paul Wilks
Former Hamtramck Police Chief Marek Kalinowski ceremoniously
handing over his badge to new Hamtramck Police Chief Maxwell Garbarino
U. S. Representative John Conyers, Jr. and
former Hamtramck Police Chief Marek Kalinowski
For what appears to be the first time in city history, Hamtramck’s new police chief and fire chief were sworn in together on Friday.
In front of a packed 31st District Courtroom at City Hall, which included family, friends, city officials and Rep. John Conyers, D-Detroit, Judge Paul Paruk asked police officer Max Garbarino and fire fighter Paul Wilk if they would honor a city that has seen much turmoil in the past two months.
Both men agreed, and to resounding applause, went from acting chiefs to serving chiefs.
“They’re all ready to get up and do what we gotta do to make things better,” said Wilk, looking at the city’s firefighters who were present at the swearing in.
The residents of Hamtramck have been taken aback in recent weeks by two high-profile crimes and revelations of the depth of the city’s financial stress.
On Feb. 28, friends Abreeya Brown and Ashley Conaway were kidnapped from Brown’s stepfather’s home on Andrus Street. The two were found March 25 in a shallow grave on Detroit’s west side. Five men, including Brian Lee, 25 and Brandon Cain, 26, have been charged with their murders.
On March 2, a man carjacked three women who were in town for a music festival and forced them to perform a sex act on him. Tonio Dace, 25, who was arrested after the carjacking, was charged with carjacking, kidnapping and sexual assault.
On March 7, the city council voted to fire City Manager Bill Cooper, after learning that city coffers were so bereft, city employees might not get paid. His successor, Erik Tungate, is facing personal legal troubles.
Garbarino, who is few weeks away from finishing a law degree, said the city’s financial situation is a source of concern. While trying to figure out how to manage possible funding issues, he said, they would put more emphasis on the city’s community policing program, in which residents help patrol and call in possible crimes.
But for a few minutes, Garbarino and Wilk were able to enjoy the time they spent with family and friends before resuming their jobs leading the city’s public safety. After receiving his chief’s badge from former chief Marek Kalinowski, Garbarino, 33, played with his son, while Wilk, 44, had photos taken with his fire crew.
“I’m trying not to cry,” said Donna Garbarino, who drove from Chesterfield Township to see her son become police chief. “Oh, I would have driven hours for this.”
