Bing nominates convicted murderer for police board | detnews.com | The Detroit News

Bing nominates convicted murderer for police board | detnews.com | The Detroit News

This decision on its faces seems to disregard common sense and responsible good judgement. What are Mr. Johnson's qualifications for membership on the Police Board? Is it his 12 years in prison or his success as a motivational speaker? Are either sufficient for this important post? Are there no better qualified candidates in the city of Detroit? Does Mayor Bing not think this will enrage police officers? Placing a convicted felon on the Police Board does not seem to be a significant step toward improving law enforcement in the city of Detroit. This appointment would seem to only distract efforts for police reform. Reforming a police agency struggling with multiple ethical issues, incidents of corruption, and suffering from a leadership void requires a change in organizational culture through the development of support for officers within the police department who reflect excellent behaviors of policing. This appointment certainly will only alienate even the most ethical officers and further delay much needed reform.