He will not be paid, and has not been, since. "Whether or not officer Anderson has racist tendencies or not, would that move the needle one way or another? The radio program explores other complaints against Anderson, including one in which he ended up pepper-spraying elderly people at a backyard birthday party when he responded to a noise complaint. They said they thought it odd there were items with Confederate flags in the garage and home, but Rob Mathis told Calhoun he was undone when he saw a framed application to join the KKK in one of the bedrooms. Instead, the city released the more than 400-page investigative report that didnt find any pattern of problems with Black citizens that Lewis said hed uncovered. Prosecutors:US Army soldier planned to kill 'antifa' activists, bomb a major news network. His wife, Rachael Anderson, told WOOD-TV her husband isn't a Klan member. Among new information Calhoun uncovered was the fact Lewis conducted his own investigation apart from the formal one conducted by the police departments internal affairs team that found, in the chiefs words, Anderson seemed to have a lot of problems with African Americans throughout his career., In coming to that conclusion, Lewis referenced earlier concerns about Anderson and recounted a cell phone video of Anderson he had seen online about a year earlier. Anderson was cleared of any wrongdoing in that 2009 incident. This is, this is, oh, Im getting out of here,' " he said. Mr. Mathis, 52, an Army veteran who is black, said that the picture he had posted on Facebook of the K.K.K. It also states officers have a duty to avoid, both on and off duty, conduct that reflects unfavorably on the department, including any behavior that brings the department disrepute, discredits the individual as a member of the department, or impairs the operation, effectiveness or efficiency of the department and/or its members.. (Kayla Renie/Muskegon Chronicle via AP) Address 1990 E. Apple Avenue Muskegon, MI 49442 Office Hours Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:45 PM (Closed 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM for Lunch Hour) Contact Phone: (231) 777-1666 (For Non-Emergencies Only) FOR ALL EMERGENCIES DIAL 911 Chief of Police Tim A. Thielbar Tim.Thielbar@mcd911.net Ext. The Muskegon County prosecutors office earlier told MLive that it will wait for the results of the police department's inquiry before it decides whether to reevaluate a 2009 incident in which Anderson fatally shot a 23-year-old unarmed black man. 2023 City of Muskegon. Officer Charles Anderson testifies in Muskegon, Michigan, March 20, 2019. Full credit: Kayla Renie/Muskegon Chronicle/AP. Authorities in Michigan may review a white police officer's fatal shooting of a black man in 2009 after an alleged Ku Klux Klan document was seen on display at the officer's house. Application Was Found in His Home, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/13/us/officer-charles-anderson-ku-klux-klan.html. The city announced on Aug. 8 that Officer Anderson, who is white and had been with the department for more than two decades, had been placed on administrative leave after he was found in possession of certain items associated with a white supremacist group. That announcement came one day after Rob Mathis, the prospective homebuyer, posted on Facebook the photo of the application, which is blank. Hilson said the investigation's results will drive reconsideration of the 2009 case, according to MLive.com. A Michigan police officer has been fired from the Muskegon Police Department following an inquiry into racist memorabilia found in his home that was for sale. A Michigan police officer has been fired from the Muskegon Police Department following an inquiry into racist memorabilia found in his home that was for sale. I wanted to shield her from this.. Mathis said he had received death threats after uploading the images to Facebook. "We would not take back what weve done no matter how weve been treated or portrayed," Reyna Mathis said. First published on August 12, 2019 / 10:44 AM. It was basically telling me, whites only to purchase his house. Anderson was fired in September following the release of the 421-page investigation by Muskegon Public Safety Director Jeffrey Lewis and Muskegon City Manager Peterson. Muskegon City Manager Frank Peterson and the city attorney's office released a 421-page report on the investigation of Charles Anderson, as well as his history as a police officer before he. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Monday Thursday: 8:00am 5:30pm Muskegon police officer Charles Anderson has been placed on leave pending an investigation into the couple's claims, the police department said. The separation agreement states Anderson will remain on unpaid status until December 30, 2020. I feel sick to my stomach knowing that I walk to the home of one of the most racist people in Muskegon hiding behind his uniform and possibly harassing people of color and different nationalities, Mathis says in the post. Referring to Officer Anderson, Mr. Mathis said: Its unfortunate that hes in our community, because he might have put people in jail on false charges, especially minorities. They also had seen Andersons Muskegon Police uniform and realized a police officer owned the home, the couple said. ARPA Community Grant Program Details + Application He cant say anything right now, Ms. Anderson said. According to WZZM-TV, the report gave Peterson enough reason to fire Anderson this month. He bought the application about six years ago in Indiana. One from 2010 alleges Anderson "acted rudely and disrespectfully" during an incident which led to the use of pepper spray and two people being arrested, the report states. "I was like 'Oh my god! application hanging on the wall. Reyna and Robert Mathis said they believe the department tried to tarnish their images to make Anderson look good and as if the couple was seeking revenge after 11 years. I dont know. During the radio broadcast, the Mathises recounted their hesitancy in reporting what they had seen in Andersons home and the backlash they received after they did. Patrick.Vandommelen2@mcd911.net They shall respect and protect the rights of individuals and perform their services with honesty, zeal, courage, discretion, integrity, dedication and sound judgment. The Muskegon Police Department Policy and Procedure Order does not specifically ban private displays of racist materials, MLive reports. Have a news tip? All parties agree not to file suit, submit charge, claim, or complaint to any agency, court, or judicial forum. The Mathises discuss the backlash they received, including receiving threats and having racial slurs hurled at them. ARPA Community Grant Program Details + Application, Authorities & Business Improvement Districts, Lot Division/Combination and New Address Applications, 2008 Downtown and Lakeshore Redevelopment Plan, Muskegon Lake Shoreline Assessment Report, 1997 Downtown/Lakeshore Redevelopment Plan, Downtown Development Authority/Brownfield Redevelopment Board, Crime Activity and Traffic Team Lieutenant, Sanford St and Houston Ave Road Construction, Sherman Blvd and Glenside Blvd Road Construction, Roberts St Road Construction and Water Service Line Replacement, IA 19-06 Official Report Charles Anderson Inquiry with redactions. Muskegon Police Officer Charles Anderson was placed on paid administrative leave after a house hunter who was viewing the officer's home said he saw a framed Ku Klux Klan application and multiple Confederate flags. Muskegon Police Officer Charles Anderson will retire with full benefits at the end of 2020, according to a separation agreement with the city. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. Peterson said the entire inquiry report would likely be released sometime next week. Lewis questioned Andersons claim that the Confederate flags in his home were part of an extensive Dukes of Hazzard television show collection, telling Calhoun that Anderson never produced requested photos of the collection and so That bucket didnt hold water.. Janelle Griffith is a national reporter for NBC News focusing on issues of race and policing. The This American Life programs include interviews with the couple, Rob and Reyna Mathis; Muskegon City Manager Frank Peterson; Muskegon Police Chief Jeffrey Lewis; and Andersons wife, Rachel Anderson. Ext. Mathis, 52, a U.S. Army veteran, has said he felt morally obligated to report what he had witnessed. Officer Charles Anderson of the Muskegon Police Department gives his testimony at the Muskegon County Hall of Justice, on March 20, 2019. He said the flags are part of his extensive "Dukes of Hazzard" collection. Johnson had scuffled with Anderson, who was beaten in the head. The Muskegon Police Department announced on Aug. 8 that it had opened an internal investigation after a social media post was "brought to its attention" accusing the veteran officer of "being in possession of certain items associated with a white supremacy group.". Anderson served on the Muskegon police force since 1997. Sign up for email updates from the City of Muskegon, including information on major events, traffic and other important city projects. The shooting was determined to be an act of self-defense. He mentioned seeing Confederate flags on the walls, dining room table and garage. They both exited the vehicle and refused the officer's orders. Hilson, Muskegons current county prosecutor, told The Muskegon Chronicle that he might re-evaluate the 2009 shooting, depending on the results of the Police Departments internal investigation. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Monday Thursday: 8:00am 5:30pm Charles Anderson was fired from the Muskegon Police Department on Sept. 13. Reyna went to jail for the incident. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. Charles Anderson was fired from the Muskegon Police Department on Sept. 13. Mathis took photos of a framed KKK application and Confederate flags in Anderson's Holton Township house while touring it with his wife, Reyna Mathis, and a realtor in early August. It is essential that all members, in the execution of their duties, act not for themselves but for the good of the public. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Following Mathis' allegations, Anderson, who has been on the force more than 20 years, was put on leave indefinitely, City Manager Frank Peterson said Thursday. The inquiry into Anderson unearthed new complaints made against him that Lewis said will be investigated, according to the report. Anderson had worked at the Muskegon Police Department for 20 years prior to being terminated. Close alerts, IA 19-06 Official Report Charles Anderson Inquiry with redactions [28MB PDF]. Charles Anderson, who had been with the Muskegon Police Department for more than two decades, denied ever being a Ku Klux Klan member or supporter. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Officer Charles Anderson of the Muskegon Police Department gives his testimony at the Muskegon County Hall of Justice, on March 20, 2019. Mr. Mathis said he reached out to Officer Anderson and Chief Lewis but never heard from them. Anderson is on paid administrative leave after an apparent . Peterson refused to provide further details about what was discussed during the disciplinary hearing, but said that a redacted version of the inquiry into . The Ku Klux Klan document Robert Mathis says was on display at Muskegon Police Officer Charles Anderson's house. A two-part series by the "This American Life" public radio program explores the case of former Muskegon Police Officer Charles Chuck Anderson, shown here in a file photo, who was fired after a Black couple from Muskegon, potential homebuyers, reported on social media they found racist material in Andersons Holton home that was for sale. Anderson was pursuing 23-year-old Julius Johnson during a traffic stop on Sept. 23, 2009. All Rights Reserved. Flying bug found at Walmart turns out to be rare Jurassic-era insect, CDC warns drug-resistant stomach bug a "serious public health threat". Officer Charles Anderson of the Muskegon Police Department gives his testimony at the Muskegon County Hall of Justice, in Muskegon on Wednesday, March 20, 2019. Charles Anderson, the Michigan police officer found to have KKK memorabilia in his home, has been fired following a disciplinary hearing within the Muskegon Police Department. The Mathises said they eventually decided to post on Facebook what they had seen out of concern that Black citizens could run into trouble with Anderson if they encountered him on the streets. However, it does outline that officers should not conduct themselves in a way that would compromise public trust. The report includes an executive summary written by Muskegon Police Chief Jeffrey Lewis that concluded that some community leaders indicated that they had lost faith in Anderson and in the entire police department as a result of Anderson's actions. They said friends of their 12-year-old daughter told her their parents wouldnt let them talk to her. Now, the. Acomplaint in 2010 alleged that he acted "rudely and disrespectfully" when he arrestedtwo people and usedpepper spray. Last month, Anderson was outed when a couple, the Mathises, toured his home that was for sale. August 12, 2019 / 10:44 AM However, Muskegon County Prosecutor D.J. "The emotional health and safety of this community is what is most important to me," Lewis said Friday, adding that the city and county "are very serious about this." Rob and Reyna Mathis, who live in Muskegon Township, said they felt a range of emotions, including anger, sadness and shame, after they saw the Ku Klux Klan document inside the house in Holton Township, about 20 miles northeast of Muskegon. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. And when he went upstairs, he saw the framed K.K.K. The city and Anderson agree neither party will publicly disparage the other party, including, "comments or statements to the press. Rob Mathis, the prospective homebuyer, posted on Facebook. And they said they sent their daughter away to live with an aunt after they saw a photo on social media of their daughter playing in their front yard with the message we know where you live. Extra troubling was the fact their home was 500 feet from the road set back in some woods, Calhoun pointed out. In an interview with the city, Anderson confirmed that he had a Confederate flag hanging in his garage, a flag-decorated hot pad on his dining room table and a framed, blank copy of a KKK application from the 1920s. The department assures the public that they are investigating the allegations. Anderson placed Reyna under arrest for refusing to follow his orders, and she struck him in the face and eye with her hand, causing minor injury. IE 11 is not supported. ", Muskegon County Prosecutor D.J. Anderson was fired from the department on Sept. 12, following a lengthy investigation into the accusation. A second citizen complaint from 2016 involved a DUI arrest in which Anderson did not secure a vehicle after the arrest and did not return a person's driver's license, according to the report. Official Internal Investigations Report - Officer Anderson September 24, 2019 IA 19-06 Official Report Charles Anderson Inquiry with redactions [28MB PDF] Previous Next Document Search Stay Connected Sign up for email updates from the City of Muskegon, including information on major events, traffic and other important city projects. He said if Robert and Reyna Mathis had contacted him, he would have explained why he had those items and apologized. A white Michigan police officer fired after a framed Ku Klux Klan application and Confederate flags were found in his home, denied being a racist in an inquiry into the items and said he collected antiques and memorabilia linked to The Dukes of Hazzard television series. The report confirmed that the officer had six encounters with Robert and Reyna Mathis, datingto July 2008. MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI The case of a Muskegon police officer fired after Confederate flags and KKK memorabilia were found in his home was the subject of a two-part series by the This American Life radio program that examines the difficulty of rooting racism out of police forces. In the first case, Robert was pulled over by Anderson for speeding, while Reyna was in the passenger seat. Robertson says Anderson is the officer who made the arrest. He was cleared of wrongdoing in the 2009 shooting of an unarmed black man, who, an investigation found, used Anderson's police radio and . Reyna Mathis was sentenced to 60 days in jail for assaulting an officer, the report states, which she disputes. Anderson, who had been with the department for more than two decades, denied ever being a KKK member or supporter and said that the Confederate items Mathis saw in his home are a "very small part" of an extensive collection of "Dukes of Hazard memorabilia he has spent decades gathering, according to the report. D.J. His charges included resisting an officer and fleeing. Rob Mathis posted a picture of the framed KKK application on Facebook, at the time knowing the home belonged to a Muskegon Police officer. Though Muskegon has a majority white population, over 31% of residents are Black. When Calhoun pressed her on how that might be offensive and scary to some people, Rachel Anderson said that didnt change her opinion. "This whole situation is very disheartening," Reyna Mathis said. During Anderson's 22-year career as a police officer, he had two complaints made against him. racist memorabilia found in his home that was for sale, was placed on administrative leave last month. 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