A few years ago I started attending East Lansing Police Oversight Commission Meetings where complaints were discussed amongst the commissioners and police personnel. At times, Jen Brown was present to respond to some of the issues addressed in some of these complaints and I recall her coming across as defensive, combative, dismissive, arrogant, not aligned with humanity and unable to see that just because something was handled correctly per policy , does not mean it was the right way to handle it. 

A few months later, East Lansing asked the public for input in selecting a new police chief and they hosted a meet and greet forum. I attended and I spoke with some of the candidates. Afterwards, I spoke with then City Manager -Robert Belleman, and I explained to him why I don't think Jen Brown is a good option for Police Chief and I asked him to select anyone but her. 

I have lived in East Lansing for 13 years and policing has never been great. Early on I felt like it was a police state but things started to get better incrementally but over the last 2 years or so it seems to have gotten a lot worse - use of force incidents are up 50% since Jen Brown became Chief; Black and Brown bodies, the poor and disenfranchised are being targeted by the police, and there continues to be a lack of transparency and accountability by police leadership, the city manager and some city council members. 

Lonnie Smith and Mason Woods have not received justice, Isaiah Kirby is dead and Myana Collins mental and physical struggles have just begun. 

There are countless others that have been harmed by the police, under the leadership of Jen Brown but they may not have a voice, the strength or the resources to fight against injustice. 

This is not about me and my present but for the future of my 3 African American boys and the present and future of every person who lives or visits East Lansing that wants fair and equal treatment and the opportunity to not have their lives destroyed after they make a mistake or were presumed by the police to have made a mistake. 

On Wednesday August 5th, I returned to a police oversight commission meeting, after not having gone for about a year, and sadly but not surprisingly Jen Brown appears to have not learned anything from her past mistakes.

By signing this petition, you are advocating for leadership that respects and listens to its community, ensuring that the spirit of accountability is not just a slogan, but a reality. Let's stand together for a safer, fairer, and more transparent East Lansing. Sign the petition to call for the resignation of Police Chief Jennifer Brown. Your voice can make a difference.